;iM5Si«i«®««S55«»«*»S' 


■■  <>  .JB^  ^iP* 


I 


■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■I 


IIMIIIIMI 


■i 


r. 


t 


\<. 


■■.*' 


I  "  .1 


''\ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

Research  Library,  The  Getty  Research  Institute 


http://www.archive.org/details/engravedgemstheiOOsomm 


•^r 


,^^/^^^^-US^^iL-.a-^tr^ 


'^^T-t:-c^'Vi^ 


c^^^.^^^.i:.*^^^^^^^:^^^^-^^^'^^'^^'^-^^ 


^^ 


=^ 


ENGRAVED  GEMS 


THEIR  HISTORY 


AN  ELABORATE  VIEW  OF  THEIR  PLACE  IN  ART 


BY 

MAXWELL    SOMMERYILLE 


miustratrti 


PHILADELPHIA 

PUBLISHED   BY   THE   AUTHOR 

1889 


Copyright,  1889, 
BY    MAXWELL   SOMMERVILLE. 


ELECTROTYPED  BY  PRESS  OF 

IBrstcott  a  f  bomson.  ^bil.iScIpbia.  Sbttiiran  *  tfo.,  |lbiliit)tl()hra. 


ENGRAVED    GEMS 


Their  History  and  Place  in  Art 


IN    WHICH   IS   EMBODIED 


THE  AUTHOR'S  FORMER  TREATISE.  WITH   EXTENSIVE  REVISIONS  AND 

ADDITIONS;   REMINISCENCES  OF  TRAVELS  IN  THE  PURSUIT  AND 

ACQUISITION    OF  ENGRAVED   GEMS:  ALSO  INTERESTING 

rNCIDENTS   OF  THEIR  SUBJECTS; 


TO   WHICH    IS   ADDED 


A  DESCRIPTIVE  LIST  UF  THE  AUTHOK'S  CABINET  OF  GEMS 


A   COMPEND  OF  GREEK   AND   KOMAN   CLASSICS  AND  ANTIQUITIES 


ILLUSTRATED   WITH    lOO  ORIGINAL    DRAWINGS   BY   THE   AUTHOR 
AND   WITH   OVER   SCO   FACSIMILES   OF    HIS   GEMS 


PHILADELPHIA 
MAXWELL  SOMMERVILLE 

1889 


TO 

MY  CONSTANT  COMPANION  IN  MANY  CLIMES, 
MY  DEAR  WIFE, 

THIS   TRIBUTE,   MY    LIFE'S    LABOR, 

IS 
LOVINGLY     DEDICATED. 

MAXWELL   SOMMERVILLE. 


PREFACE. 


Little  consideration  has  been  bestowed  upon  Cameos  and 
Intao-lios  in  tins  Western  World.  With  our  increased  oppor- 
tunities  for  intellectual  culture  and  the  enjoyment  of  art,  the 
development  of  refined  tastes  and  pursuits  in  this  country  has 
been  marked  bv  the  formation  of  many  private  collections. 

Impelled  by  the  desire  for  acquisitions  in  manuscripts, 
armor,  porcelains,  enamels,  engravings,  etc.,  we  have  diligently 
searched  the  continent  of  our  ancestors,  and  in  the  pursuit  ot 
antique  additions  to  our  cabinets  have  even  more  earnestly 
penetrated  the  realms  of  Ranieses  and  Thothmes,  Phidias  and 
Praxiteles,  Dioscorides  and  Theodorus  of  8amos.  These  treas- 
ures, culled  by  various  tastes,  have  each  their  devotees — zealous 
collectors  of  pottery,  iridescent  glass,  ])orcelain,  enamels,  etc.; 
gleaners  of  etchings;  enthusiasts  in  bronze,  storing  up  relics 
of  the  altar,  vessels,  and  vases,  lunisehold  gods,  and  even 
fragments  of  fragrant  censers;  collectors  of  inscriptions,  auto- 
graphs, medals,  and  coins ;  helping  women,  amateurs  of  lace, 
treasuring  remnants  of  Doges'  nicfhUa  and  chancel  webs 
of  Venetian  handiwork, — each  engrossed  in  their  particular 
branch. 

I  too  have  found  a  pleasant  jiath  leading  to  where  are 
gathered  stones — engraved  stones,  art-links  in  a  carved  chain 
reaching  beyond  that  \\onderful  stone  book,  the  temple  of 
Edfoo. 


8  PREFACE. 

]\Iv  treasures  are  now  placed  on  view  at  the  Meti'opolitan 
]\hiseiira  of  Art,  Central  Park,  New  York.  Many  will  cast 
only  a  passing  glance.  Pray,  some  of  you  come  with  me  and 
see  there  is  reason  and  pleasure  in  my  pursuit.  \\  c  Avill  walk 
n])()n  the  t'rundded  ruins  of  hyg'one  centuries;  our  retrospective 
view  shall  l)e  where  changing  elements,  rust,  and  age  have 
S])ared  hut  traces  t.i'i  palaces  and  temples :  we  \\  ill  stroll  Ijcside 
a  ra2)id  stream  until  we  reach  a  grove  where  I  have  oft  tmnied 
in  and  found  a  ri(di  re})ast :  no  shrines,  no  obelisks,  no  statues, 
naught  Ijut  these  jirecious  little  stepping-stones,  hy  which  we 
Avill  cross  the  stream,  and  in  the  vale  of  antiquity,  with  these 
miniature  luomuuents,  study  and  enjoy  the  indelilde  \)ov- 
traiture  of  ages. 

After  Years  of  personal  effort,  and  the  opinions  of  savants 
in  France,  Germany,  Italy,  and  Greece,  I  returned  to  this 
countrv  sujiposing  that  my  fund  of  information  in  regard  to 
a  numl)er  of  inscribed  gems  -was  suiiiciently  complete.  How- 
ever, with  the  valuable  aid  of  Dr.  Isaac  H.  Hall,  Gurator  of 
the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New  York,  errors  ha\  e  been 
corrected  and  several  very  interesting  inscriptions  have  been 
deciphered  b\-  him,  revealing  alike  messages  inun  ancient 
time  and  pinxing  his  \\<indcrful  power  of  disentangling  gem- 
riddles. 

I  would  acknowledge  valualde  assistance  in  defining  the 
substances  on  which  the  gems  are  engraved,  from  my  triend 
Prof  .Tosei)h  Leidy  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  :  other 
scientists  are  credited  in  the  text  for  their  im])ortant  aid,  which 
is  here  gratefidly  acknowledged. 

:\iAXWELL  som:\ieryille. 


S.  W.  cor.  Seventh  and  Clieirv  streets, 

Pmi.ADELI'llI.V. 


CONTENTS. 


PREFACE 

ExGRAVKD  Gems:  their  Socrce  and  History 13 

Egyptian,  41.— Chaklean,  Assyrian,  and  Balivloniaii  Cylinders,  46. — Assyrian, 
Persian,  and  Sassanian  Seals,  53.— Etruscan,  61.— Phoenician,  6.5.— Grecian, 
68.— Grfeeo-Eonian,  75. — Roman,  79.— Abra.xas,  SO.— Byzantine,  84.— Chinese, 
88.— Aztec  or  Mexican,  89.— Night  of  Art,  90.— Renaissance,  100.— Succeeding 
Centuries,  105.— Retrospective,  107.— Religion  on  Stones,  110.— Animals  and 
Birds,  115.— Historic  Cameos,  118.— Mythological,  121. 

Reminiscences  of  Teavels 125 

The  Story-Teller,  129.— Bazaars  of  Tangier,  138.— Three  Amphoric,  144.— Portugal, 
148.— Eastward  Ho!  153.— Naples.  157.— Egypt,  158.— Deserted  Halls,  160.— 
The  Old  Potter,  169.— Memnonium,  173.— Assouan,  179.— Nile  Cataract,  181.- 
An  Enigma,  182.— Ostrich-feather  Dealci-s,  190.— Aboo-Sirabel,  201.— Elephant- 
ine Island,  207.— Karnak  and  Thebes,  208.— Tombs  of  the  Kings,  213.— Cairo, 
214.— Our  Daoud,  210.— Harem  Life,  226.— Whirling  Dervishes,  233.— Suez 
Canal,  241.— Syria,  242.— Jerusjilem,  245.— Nazareth,  552.— Dama,scus,  261. 
— Baalbec,  264.— Mount  Lebanon,  207.— Athens,  268.— Constantinople,  282.— 
Howling  Dervishes,  292.— Bazias,  299.— Greek  Shoes,  299.— General  Dealers,  305. 

iNTERESTIXfi    ISCIDESTS   OF  SUBJECTS  OF    EkgRAVED  Ge.MS 329 

.Esoulapius  and  Telesphorus,  330.— Education  of  Bacchus,  332.— Statues  of  tlie  Nile 
and  Tiber,  .-iSe.— Eleven  Thousand  Virgins,  340.— Carlberg  Gypsies,  344.— 
Valankoff's Story,  347.— Belgium's  Contribution,  355.— Astragalus,  363.— France, 
37 1. —Hilda's  Tower,  379.— Abra.xas  in  Contrast  with  Christianity,  381.— 
Campagna  and   Oil-dealer,  382.- Rome,  393.— Lucius,  tlie  Golden  Ass,  399. 

Celebrated  Cameos  of  European  Museums 421 

Fac-simile  Letters  from  Eminent  French  Savants 

Catalogue  Raisonxe  of  Engraved  (Iems 

List  of  Illustrations 

Index    


433 
453 
775 

777 


ENGRAVED  GEMS. 

THEIR    SOURCE   AND    HISTORY. 


EXGRAVED    GEMS. 


THEIR    SOURCE    AND    HISTORY. 


Tj^NGRAVED  GEMS  come  to  u.s  tlirougli  centuries  remote 
'  ■*  from  our  era,  the  c[uality  ot"  their  execution  approaching- 
perfection,  and  degenerating  as  in  a  geometrical  progression 
repeating  itself  in  reverse;  advancing  and  improving  in  fineness 
up  to  nearlv  the  end  of  the  tirst  century,  the  century  of  Christ, 
and  from  the  beginning  of  the  second  century  retrograding  to 
the  base  of  mediocrity  in  the  end  of  the  fifth  century.  Tlic 
sixtli  and  seventh  centuries,  the  Byzantine  period,  yielded  a 
group  of  ])rincii)allv  religious  cameos,  abundant  and  curious, 
to  my  taste  of  great  interest. 

13 


14  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

This  was  succeeded  by  several  Inuidred  years,  not  of  repose 
in  the  art,  hut  of  wretched  ignorance,  wlien  man  ahnost  ceased 
to  create  a  connecting  hnk  in  the  liistory  of  the  glyptic  art. 
With  rare  exceptions,  aU  specimens  of  that  time  scarcely  merit 
the  designation  of  gems :  it  was  a  period  that  may  he  reason- 
ably identified  as  the  night  of  art,  when,  alas!  in  the  darkness 
blows  were  stricken  which  destroyed  and  reduced  to  fragments 
much  that  was  ])recious  and  beautiful,  and  vandalism,  contrilj- 
uting  nothing  that  was  fair,  robbed  us  of  a  large  part  of  our 
inheritance. 

The  progression  alluded  to  is,  in  my  estimation,  only  a 
question  of  comparative  beauty.  If  we  seek  for,  or  are  capa- 
ble of  appreciating,  the  most  interesting,  that  which  gives  us 
historv,  we  must  find  it  at  the  beginning  of  tliat  progression — 
the  era  of  the  Babylonians — with  its  messages  handed  down  to 
us  on  their  wonderful  cylinders. 

In  collections  of  cameos,  intaglios,  seals,  and  other  gems  of 
relative  completeness  we  usually  find  before  us  specimens  of 
the  handiwork  of  at  least  twenty  centuries  of  ii/civori  of  all 
trrades  of  execution — ten  centuries  b.  c.  and  ten  centuries  in 
the  years  known  as  a.  n.  Can  any  complete  exhibit  be  made 
of  house-construction,  metallic  or  faience  household  vessels,  or 
of  tissues  or  woven  materials,  representative  of  those  eras? 
Where  are  the  weapons  of  the  clnNalrons  hosts  of  Agamem- 
non and  Nero,  their  chariots,  or  any  part  of  them;  the  trap- 
pings of  horses  or  other  beasts  of  burden  ;  the  paraphernalia 
of  their  medicine-men  and  surgeons  ?  True,  there  exist  a  few 
surgical  instruments  in  corroded  bronze,  Roman  of  the  hrst, 
second,  and  third  centuries  a.  d.  Where  can  we  see  ancient 
pieces  of  their  household  fiu'nitnre ;  their  costumes  of  body, 
head,  or  feet ;  their  nuisical  instruments,  their  agricultural  and 


SOURCE  AXD  HISTORY.  15 

all  other  meclianical  implements  ?  where  the  craft  that  floated 
on  the  ^Egean  Sea,  or  even  a  spar  of  them? 

The  avocatiiiii  (ir  profession  of  Cameo  or  Intag-lio  engraver 
was  one  commanding  high  respect,  because  the  profession  was 
difficidt,  retpiiring  great  talent  and  nuich  skill.  Tryphon  on 
commission  engraved  for  his  sovereign  a  signet  intaglio,  a 
group  of  mythological  divinities  emulating  with  one  another 
to  laureate  a  figure  representing  his  royal  ])atron,  and  repre- 
senting him  as  the  divinity  of  power  over  nearly  all  the  then 
known  eartli.  The  geni  tinislicd,  his  sovereign  was  content; 
nothing  could  have  gratitied  him  more  than  the  thought  that 
this  superb  work  of  art,  cut  in  indestructible  jacinth,  should 
as  his  seal  be  handed  down  to  all  generations.  He  called  the 
incisore  to  his  presence,  bestowed  great  honors  on  him,  making 
him  to  be  esteemed  bv  men  who  were  almost  heirs  of  royalty. 
How  think  von  Trvplion  was  most  honored  ?  His  sovereign 
permitted  him  to  engrave  his  signature,  his  name,  uj)on  the 
gem,  and  thus  commemorate  himself  perpetually. 

In  that  day  Polemon  ^^as  ajipreciating  what,to-day,  nineteen 
centuries  later,  I  show  you  in  my  collection. 

It  is  probably  well  to  define  the  objects.  Cameos  and  Inta- 
glios, which  are  the  subjects  of  the  following  treatise. 

A  cameo  is  a  raised  figure  or  group  cut  upon  a  stone  of  one 
or  more  strata  or  layers,  in  one  or  many  colors,  thus  producing 
a  picture  in  relief.  The  word  seems  to  be  derived  from  camaut,^ 
which  in  Arabic  signifies  the  hump  of  a  camel. 

An  intag-lio  is  a  desijrn  engraved  en-crcn.r — cut  out,  sunken — 
to  be  best  seen  on  its  impress  in  wax  or  plaster ;  intaglios  were 
oriffinallv  intended  for  seals. 

*  Dictionnaire  de  la  Conversation,  etc.  etc.,  ParLs,  1S53,  p.  279. 


16  ENilltA  VED    UEMS. 

The  iiit;ii;li()-('ntter  iimst  contiimtilh'  coiisnlt  iinpvessioiis, 
by  wliicli  means  only  lie  can  judge  of  tlic  advancement  and 
qualitv  of  liis  work,  wliilc  on  the  cameo  lie  raises  or  lowers  the 
materia]   and  sees  continually  the  progress  of  his  picture. 

]\Ian\-  tine  cameos  in  the  collections  of  the  National  JJbrury 
and  the  l.ouvre  at  Paris,  the  Im])erial  Cabinet  of  Vienna,  the 
museums  of  Dresden,  St.  Peterslturg,  and  London,  ai-e  cut  on 
stones  of  (tne  color,  amethysts,  carnelians,  emeralds,  topaz,  etc. 
etc.,  but  most  of  them  are  upon  sardon\  x,  agate,  chalcedonv- 
onvx,  etc.  etc. — .stones  of  manv  bands  or  strata.' 

It  is  interesting'  to  observe  with  what  skill  engravers  of 
cameos  have  arranged 'their  subjects  and  availed  themselves  of 
maculated  or  spotted  stones,  emploving  and  distributing  the.se 
irregularities  and  zones  of  C(dor  in  heightening  and  beautifving 
their  effective  pictures — using  one  stratinn  for  the  diadem, 
others  in  succession  for  the  hair,  beard,  di-apery,  complexi<ni, 
profile,  and,  last,  for  the  background;  as  in  the  cameo,  Socrates 
about  to  take  tlie  poisonous  draught,  Xo.  1102,  Case  R  Iv  R,  the 
artist  has  profited  1)V  a  colored  spot  in  the  stone  and  employed 
it  to  make  the  bowl;  in  the  cameo  No.  oH,  Case  1),  the  macu- 
lation  is  wonderfully  utilized :  the  nymph  is  white,  the  satyr 
of  dark  grevish-red;  Cupid's  head  and  the  tips  of  his  wings 
are  of  a  rich  l>urnt-sienna  tone,  while  the  shrul)bery  behind 
is  of  a  reddish-brown ;  in  the  Oriental  chalcedony  cameo 
of  Pluflms  guiding  the  chariot  of  the  sun,  No.  2,  Case  A, 
PIkcIius  is  of  a  flesh  color  which  has  paled  imder  the  jiatina 
of  age:  the  horses  are  marked  as  those  in  Guide's  Aurora; 
wdiile  the  foiul^  or  base  of  the  cameo,  held  to  the  thiy,  gives 
the  golden  glow  of  the  sunlight;  on  the  cameo  set  in  a  ring. 
No.  1()S2,  Case  P  P  P,  the  Pluvnix  rises  from  brilliant   l)laziiig 

'  One  in  iiiv  collection,  Xo.  1U73,  Case  V  P  P,  lias  eight  strata. 


SOURCE  AND  HISTORY.  17 

flames,  also  acquired  by  skilfully  utiliziu-'  the  natural  macula- 
tiou  of  the  stone,  wliich  (.-vidcntly  was  selected  tor  the  design. 
Again,  the  eanieo  No.  698,  Case  Q  Q,  the  I'allas  of  Troy,  the 
owl  with  its  feathery  suit  forming  the  head-tbess :  observe  its 
white  beak,  dark  eyes,  the  phuuage  of  its  head,  deeper  in  color 
than  that  on  its  body  and  win-s.  The  laureation  of  emperors 
and  of  bacchanalian  heads;  the  rose  tint  of  health  upon  fair 
cheeks,— all  these  charming  eflects  are  the  result  of  artistic 
arrangement  and  utilization  ..f  the  varied  beauties  presented 
bv  nature  in  the  agates  and  onyxes. 

Uur  subject  is  engraved  stones,  not  gold  ornamentation; 
but  as  gems  could  not  well  be  carried  without  some  metallic 
setting,  I  will  make  this  passing  reference  to  rings,  the  principal 
means  of  displaying  and  wearing  them.  We  meet  with  seal- 
i-ino-s  amonff  the  relics  of  ancient  Greece,  and  we  know  that  six 
hundred  rears  b.  c.  rings  in  bronze,  silver,  and  gold  were  almost 
in  universal  use. 

The  fashion  was  first  adopted  by  the  Roman  rulers  as  a  con- 
venient means  of  preserving  and  employing  their  intaglios.  At 
first  their  use  was  restricted  to  the  emperors,  who  assumed  the 
rio-ht  of  o-rautino'  the  distinction  to  others,  for  it  was  actually 
esteemed  and  given  as  a  badge  of  nobility.  The  privilege  was 
onlv  oranted  to  men  in  authorit\-:  ambassadors  wore  gold  rings; 
it  was  part  of  their  official  regalia,  as  w  ith  cardinals  in  the  pres- 
ent da\-.  Senators,  chief  magistrates,  and  military  officials 
next  received  the  right:  but  in  time  it  was  extended  to  all  the 
armv  of  the  empire  and  to  citizens,  many  of  whom  wore  iron 
rin<'s  and  even  to  men  who  had  been  bondsmen:  an  interesting 
instance  is  that  of  the  liberated  slave  Philogenis,  whose  seal 
will  l)e  found  in  my  collection,  Xo.  915,  Case  F  F  F.  (See 
article  Rome  in  "Interesting  Incidents  of  Subjects,"  page  396). 

2 


18  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

TliiYvuiili  the  valued  friendship  of  ^[.  E(hiiond  Le  Bhmt, 
late  president  of  rAcadeniie  des  Inserijjtion.s  de  Flnstitut  de 
?\ance,  I  have  been  led  to  look  with  much  interest  on  all  the 
Clu-istian  yenis,  either  such  as  1  have  found  in  a  few  of  the 
national  museums,  in  private  cabinets,  or  such  as  I  have  myself 
actpiired.  There  are  quite  a  number  in  the  little  museum  of 
Ravenna,  so  seldom  visited  and  Aet  meriting  observation  and 
studv,  especially  for  their  imdonbtable  Christian  character. 
True,  some  of  these  gems  are  ornamented  with  I'ather  ill-drawn 
and  grotesque  subjects — figured  in  a  position  of  adoration  or 
with  the  hands  held  together  as  in  prayer,  generally  accom- 
panied bv  two  or  more  Greek  crosses — the  Holy  Spirit  ex- 
emplified bv  the  gentle  dove ;  palm  branches,  pastoral  groups, 
or  the  significant  lamb  alone ;  the  good  pastor  tenderly  bearing 
the  lamb  ttpon  his  shoulders  or  in  his  bosom,  followed  or 
surrounded  bv  others;  figiu-es  pressing  a  book  to  the  bosom 
or  heart,  the  sentiment  being  love  for  the  manuscriiit  Testament 
of  life;  a  series  of  scenes  from  the  incident  in  the  life  of  Jonah 
— the  banpie  Avhence  he  was  thrown,  the  great  fish,  Jonah 
expelled  from  the  whale's  mouth  ;  the  monogram  of  Christ  (see 
No.  583,  Case  II,  obverse  and  reverse);  the  dove  carrying  the 
olive  liranch  (see  Xo.  5S2,  Case  II);  annilet — obverse  anchor 
and  fishes,  reverse  palm  branches ;  the  sacrifice  of  Isaac  by 
Abraham  (see  Xo.  7,  Case  A). 

One  feature  strongly  marks  this  series  of  Christian  gem- 
tokens:  tlKHigh  following  so  closely  on  the  era  of  mythology, 
the  emblems  have  not  the  slightest  tinge  of  those  superstitions : 
they  may  be  very  simple,  but  they  are  orthodox,  and  are  im- 
bued with  love  of  the  newly-known  ]\Iediator,  our  Saviour; 
there  are  also  of  this  period  many  fine  chalcedonies,  amethysts, 
sards,  etc.,  which  have  onlv  for  embellishment  inscriptions  of 


SOURCE  AXD  HISTORY.  19 

mottoes,  as  "  (tu;ii(1  against  iutcinpevaiice,"  "Be  viji'ilant,  rurb 
tli\'  will  :"  also  -with  sentiinciits  nt'  kiml  wishes  for  the  New 
Year:  other  iiiscrilKMl  stones  i^iveii  in  troth,  as  "  To  thee  with 
iiiv  soul,"  or  "  M\' licaiitit'nl  soiil,"  ami  the  t'l'ccjueiit  iiKd/i  hi  Jcfic, 
afHanced  liands.  These  wirh  iniiinnerahle  other  syniliols  of 
Christianity  compose  the  suite  known  as  Christian  g-eins. 

The  general  suhjects  of  engraved  stones  set  m  rings  will  he 
given  in  their  place.  The  character  of  the  designs  on  rings 
worn  hv  the  earK'  ( 'hristians  was  peculiar  to  their  lives  and  in 
conformity  with  the  purity  ami  simplicity  of  their  faith.  In  my 
collection  are  sufficient  examples — fishes,  doves,  pahn-branclies, 
anchors,  crosses,  etc.  etc. 

Among  their  designs  was  found  nctthing  savoring  of  glut- 
tony or  the  inebriating  cui) :  they  were  free  from  mythological 
fio-m'es;  in  a  wortl.  they  were  end)lems  fitting  the  followers  of 
tlie  Immble  Nazarene. 

From  the  eai-liest  historic  times  we  find  evidences  of  a  dis- 
position to  adorn  the  human  form,  displayed  in  the  most  primi- 
tive apparel  and  donnciles  of  man.  Though  the  decorative 
ornaments  preserved  to  us  from  Assp'ia,  Babylon,  and  Persia 
possess  little  beauty  of  design  or  finish,  their  value  is  en- 
hanced by  their  durability  and  the  historic  tidings  they 
bring   us. 

With  the  reign  of  Alexander  our  admiration  is  enlisted  by 
the  interesthig  miniatures  of  regal  and  princely  })ersonages; 
and  under  his  successors  by  the  more  beautiful  qualities  in 
gem-subjects,  representing  senators,  orators,  and  poets,  mitil 
we  meet  with  tbe  earliest  cameos,  presenting  portraits  that  can 
certainly  be  recognized;  the  Vienna  cameo  of  Philadelphus  and 
Arsinoe,  and,  b.  c.  loo,  the  heads  of  Demetrius  Soter,  king  of 
Syria,  and  Laodice,  his  wife. 


20  ENGRAVED   GEMS. 

Experience,  ;unl  the  indestructible  objects  accumulatino- 
throu^li  art-sources  around  tlieni,  tauf>-ht  men  that  the  o-reater 
monuments — temples,  tbrums,  statues,  inscriljed  arches  and 
colunnis — intended  to  record  and  ])eri)etuate  tlie  tbrms,  fea- 
tures, and  costumes  of  the  races,  were  all  subject  to  corrosion 
and  the  annilnlating  force  of  vandalism.  The  fact  that  under 
these  very  ruins  they  unearthed  the  legacies  of  earlier  genera- 
tions convinced  them  of  this  better  means  of  ti-ansmitting  to 
posterity  their  records. 

Anon  came  to  light  graven  stones,  lesser  yet  more  endiuing 
monuments,  luipretending  gems  long  buried  from  view,  veiled 
from  admiration.  Some  were  found  with  germs  of  corn  guarded 
within  the  nuunmv's  wra])])ing — to  live  again  ! 

Among  others,  a  stone  with  legilde  inscription,  which  had 
for  aa-es  silentlv  awaited  the  fulfilment  of  its  mission,  was 
raised  from  its  l)ed  of  scoria,  and  as  a  vane  i)ointed  by  prevail- 
in  o-  ^^•illd  it  led  to  yonder  hill  in  Talaura  of  Pontus,  -vA-here  in 
rocky  crevice  lav  the  graven  treasures  of  ^lithridates.  There 
were  hundreds  of  onyx  vases,  amulets,  caskets;  chalice  and 
tankard:  trappings  for  man  and  beast,  for  royal  breasts;  boots 
and  stirrups, — all  garnished  with  engraved  gems. 

These  rewards  of  diligent  seekers  passed  into  the  possession 
of  progressive  rulers,  who  displayed  them  as  models,  cultiva- 
ting the  tastes  of  the  ])eople,  giving  special  ]iatronage  to  gem- 
engravers;  even  beginners  and  inexperienced  practitioners  were 
encouraged.  Tims  a  love  for  the  art  was  fostered.  Many  be- 
came enamored  with  the  jjursuit,  and  as  the  quality  of  execu- 
tion improved  the  demand  increased;  enmlation  made  some 
masters.  Augustus  reigned.  The  glyptic  and  all  the  finer  arts 
rose  to  their  sublimest  apex. 

The    Romans    attracted    and    transported  by   concjuest   the 


SOURCE  AXD   HISTORY.  21 

gi'eatest  and  purest  works  of  art  from  Greece,  Asia  Elinor,  and 
Egvj)t,  ('Xi)ending-  enormous  sums  to  adorn  the  magnificent 
editices  of  the  capital  of  their  vast  empire. 

For  the  skilled  artists  of  the  despoiled  pro^'inces  there  was 
no  alternative  but  to  follow  their  works  to  the  great  art-centre 
of  the  world.  They  knew  also  that  the  galleries,  libraries,  and 
saloii.^  of  tliese  structures  were  to  be  sumptuously  decorated 
with  the  classic  achievements  of  excellent  masters  in  pictures 
and  sculptures  in  marble  and  bronze;  and  wherever  they  could 
be  applied  the  meritorious  works  of  gem-engravers  Avere  most 
in  demand. 

Thus  artisans  from  many  nationalities  worked  harmoniously 
under  the  brilliant  panoplv  of  art  founded  in  the  Eternal  ("ity, 
around  wliich  all  the  world  assemlded  to  stTidy.  admire,  and  to 
create. 

Writers  on  this  theme  in  tlie  English  language  have  con- 
tributed and  indorsed  the  opinions  of  Eurojjcan  glyptogi'aphers 
on  the  ancient  engraved  gems,  with  the  accepted  theories  on 
their  execution.  The\'  have  inferred  nnicli  nnsterA-  in  regard 
to  the  means  eniploved  to  ])ert'ect  designs  on  materials  so  hard. 
It  seems  to  me  the  superior  residts  achieved  b\-  the  earlv  gem- 
sculptors  can  be  explained  by  simplv  according  the  merit  due 
to  them.  They  laljored  with  infinite  patience,  and  with  ttntir- 
ing  practice  acquired  the  skill — not  oidv  that  wliicli  is  di.s- 
plaved  in  form  and  featnre,  but  with  eagle  vision  and  svmpa- 
thetic  ]iower  thev  infused  sentiment  into  their  sitbjects.  It  is 
under  the  privilege  of  sm-mise  that  I  venture  to  print  mv 
opinion :  tlie  human  race  has  to  some  extent  degenerated 
phj-sicallv  in  eighteen  or  twentv  centuries. 

I  claim  to  know  Dioscorides,  Pyrgoteles,  and  other  great 


22  ENGRAVED   GEMS. 

g'em-engravers  of  tlicir  eva  l)v  reason  of  years  of  contact  with 
their  art-works:  no  one  will  doulit  tli;it  I  was  not  there  and 
never  saw  Dioscorith^s  at  his  bench  oi-  lathe,  as  has  l)een  niv 
])leasure  with  eminent  iiirisori^  of  this  centnry  ;  yet  I  modestly 
make  the  conjecture  that  he  and  his  contein])oraries  had  far 
greater  power  of  vision  than  is  enjoyed  Ijy  any  mortal  eyes 
of  the  nineteenth  centnry. 

I  do  not  think  thev  j)Ossessed  any  secret  of  mechnnicnl  art 
now  lost.  It  is  }nv  impression  tlicA'  hnd  iu;\cliiHer\',  and  that 
more  effective  than  has  been  accredited  to  them.  It  is  known 
that  the  potters  wheel  was  nsed  bv  the  ('hinese  seven  cen- 
turies 1!.  ('.,  whence  it  passed  into  Egypt,  thence  into  Greece, 
and  later  into  all  Southern  Europe.  The  Etruscans  availed 
themselves  of  this  power  by  carrving  the  bidt  directly  from 
the  perpendicular  wheel  to  a  horizontal  sj)indle,  in  which  they 
adjusted  their  drills  Avitli  which  they  made  the  cavities  so 
distinctly  visible  in  their  unfinished  scarabei  and  intaglios. 
The  invention  of  the  lathe  is  ascribed  to  Tlieodorus  of  Samos, 
B.  c.  <!<»().  History  mentions  the  use  of  the  drill  by  engravers 
in  Pha'nicia,   B.  c.  GOO. 

The  Romans  with  this  rotating  force  at  their  command, 
alreadv  emploved  in  several  branches  of  industry,  applied  it 
to  a  grinding  disk  of  lironze  or  iron  encrusted  with  sparks  of 
iidamnnt,  which,  being  ra])idly  revolved,  enabled  them  more 
(juicklv  and  practically  to  give  the  first  form  to  the  hard  and 
otherwise  intractalde  substances  u})ou  which  they  were  to 
engrave  their  (daborate  designs — a  more  rapid  ]>rocess  than 
reducing  the  stone  b\'  rubbing  it  on  a  j>late  of  iron  coated  w'ith 
connidiiiii-(hist  and  oil,  -which  was  also  employed.  The  first 
di'aw  ini;- was  e\identl\'  made  with   impleiiicnts  similar  to   those 

'  Years  uf  delijrhtt'ul  intercoms^  witli  tivt-  of  tlie  Laiizi  Fratelli  at  Kunie. 


SOURCE  AXD   HISTORY.  23 

still  known  In'  the  Romans  as  the  Jxtttini'i  and  the  jmllino  or  drill. 
I  have  frequently  seen  them  among  the  antique  bronze  tools 
occasionally  excavated  in  the  Campagna  and  brouglit  into 
Rome  l)v  the  toi/f/i/Hiu,  and  said  to  he  surgical  instrinnents/ 

This  was  onlv  hewing  the  block  into  shape:  when  the 
truh"  artistic  power  was  brouglit  into  requisition,  the  tine 
engi-aving  of  the  features,  hair,  and  other  details,  was  exe- 
cuted witli  iron  or  bronze  gra\ers  with  points  or  blades  made 
of  corundum.  Oriental  ametlivst,  and  other  hard  minerals; 
thev  were  boMK  done,  as  ]tv  a  wood-engraver  of  the  present 
day.'-  These  fragments  were  ol)tained  by  breaking  the  minei'als 
to  splinters  with  a  hamnu^r. 

In  regard  to  the  fine  polish  so  often  referred  to  as  evidence 
of  antiquity,  there  are  men  to-day  in  Rome  who  can  produce 
the  same  eftects,  with  lustre  e([ualling  those  done  in  the  bright- 
est days  of  the  art,  with  this  ditference :  the  modern  polish  is 
made  on  the  completion  of  the  work,  while  even  unfinished 
anti(pu'  intaglios  possess  that  quality. 

From  painters  in  oil  coloi's,  with  binishes  and  canvas,  we 
expect  and  receive  greater  results,  but  only  in  proportion  to 
the  facilities  possessed  Ijy  them,  and  certainlv  not  so  endur- 
ing. How  few  of  them  reach  the  staiulard  of  true  art !  In 
this  field  the  perfect  man  in  art  is  he  on  whose  mind  stu(U-  has 
impressed  every  feature  of  the  sea,  the  sky,  the  land,  and  the 
lineaments  of  the  dwellers  thereon.  He  knows  the  sea,  its 
restless  briny  water;  the  color,  shape,  and  motion  of  the  cloud, 
mist,  spray,  siirf,  and  waves;  the  storm-washed  rock:  the  bark 
placidly  and    jovouslv  borne  on   the   tran([uil   deep:    tlie  ship 

'  E.tamine  cameo,  umloubtedly  in  first  stale  of  execution.  Xo.  182.  Case  L,  t'lamliiis,  in 
my  collection. 

'Observe  the  emerald  of  Maximinus  Pius,  Xo.  9(J5,  Case  III,  in  my  collection. 


24  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

tossed  (in  hillows  1)V  a  force  he  keeiil\'  cini  depict,  lie  jiictuvcs 
tlic  vcrx  wind:  knows  tlie  cdldi-s  neutralized  by  haze  or  sprav 
or  deep  salt  wave ;  here  catches  and  depicts  a  strngglino'  sun- 
heam;  there  feels  and  throws  the  ])idl  of  gray  cloud  and  hlack- 
ening  blue  upon  the  waves  that  matlly  shake  a  crnft :  he  shows 
the  struggle:  the  mists  arise,  the  spray  beats  down:  men  on 
deck,  men  aloft;  frenzy  everywhere;  the  scpiall  goes  ([uickh- 
bv :  sunbeams  striving  to  console:  birds  in  fright  and  flight; 
dauchig  masts,  fluttering  snils,  ;nid  (piivei-ing  rojies,  stretching 
out  to  the  line  of  hope  m  the  horizon. 

He  notes  all  these  full  well,  and,  turning  his  thoughts 
inland,  portrays  a  forest,  great  mountains,  deep  dells,  a  verdant 
meadow,  blue  sky,  yellow  blossoms,  red  cows,^ — nil  seeming  to 
live.  He  bids  you  hear  the  falling  leaf,  smell  the  rich  pasture, 
hear  the  cattle  low,  the  liirds  sing ;  enlists  yom-  interest  in  the 
boy  who  guards  the  herd;  makes  }'OU  feel  the  effort  of  the 
hand  that  fells  mi  oak  to  cross  the  stream  :  heli)S  you  to  see 
and  admire  nature. 

With  the  same  pigments  he  grouits  ])lebeinus,  courtiers,  and 
kings,  maidens,  mati'ons,  and  queens,  husbandmen  and  war- 
riors; plodding  tillers  of  the  helil,  enriching  the  clod  with  toil; 
men-at-arms  clashing  and  crushing  and  wounding,  staining  the 
soil  with  gore;  and  in  the  quiet  of  his  home  doth  he  create 
these  great  cartoons,  this  master-ixiet,  this  true  genius,  this 
artist.  We  acknowledge  his  proficiency,  yet  he  has  many 
colors  at  his  command  and  choice,  and  pencils  to  spread  them 
where  he  will   ujion   his  panel  or  his  canvas. 

When  we  consider  the  difificidties  with  which  the  gem- 
sculptors  had  to  contend,  we  should  accoi-d  to  them  a  position 
foremost  in  the  art  of  delineation,  'i'heir  limited  palette  of 
colors  was  locked  in  the   hard  endirace  of  the  stones,  the  strata 


SOURCE  AND  HISTORY.  25 

(if  wliicli  tlipv  had  to  utilize  in  creating  their  pictures;  and  yet 
they  knew  and  well  portrayed  the  varied  features  of  their 
fellow-men  with  all  their  emotional  types  and  characters, — 

Eves  that  seem  to  see,  g-lowing-  with  benevolence,  genial 
witli  mirth,  twinkling  Avith  cunning,  wavering  with  corruption, 
tiriu  with  tvranny; 

Cheeks  cushioned  with  A'outli,  dimpled  with  beauty,  sunken 
with  age  or  asceticism ; 

Brows  with  the  breadth  of  dignity,  sealed  with  the  signet 
of  intellect,  roval  with  kingly  ])Ower,  frowning  with  brutality, 
gentle  with  womanly  loveliness ; 

Lips  smiling,  almost  speaking,  uttering  contempt,  rigidly 
closed,   taciturn  ; 

Heads  laureated  with  imperiid  bands,  Ijald  with  niuch 
philosophy,  worn  with  deep  thought,  glowing  with  the  inspi- 
ration of  poetry ; 

Faces  emotional  with  anger,  scorn,  joy,  sorrow,  mirth, 
divinity ; 

Forms  living,   moving,'  thinking; 

Satyrs  and  forms  grotesque  with  hilarity ;  faces,  only 
masks;  dread  Medusas,  full  of  terror;  Bacchanals,  merrily 
lighted,  with  the  juice  of  the  grapes  twined  in  their  tresses; 

Symbols  of  wisdom,  power,  vigilance,  subtlety,  truth, 
eternity  ; — 

All  imwittingly  bequeathed  to  us  Ijy  those  patient  minia- 
turists of  physiognomy,  \\1h(  have  given  better  models  than 
ever  Lavater  has  pencilled  tor  us. 

The  Greek  and  Roman  artists  soixght  the  honor,  not  only 
by  commissions,  but  volinitarily,  of  portraying  their  emperors, 

'  Observe  No.  253,  Case  O,  in  my  cnllection,  a  cameo  by  Santarelli,  1797  A.  D.     Lean- 
der's  head  seems  rising,  actually  moving,  wiili   the  swell  of  Ibe  wave  or  sea. 


26  ENGRAVED   GEMS. 

covmcillors,  and  men  of  letters  :  suoli  was  their  innate  appre- 
ciation of  poetr\'  and  ])]nlosop]iy,  the\"  emnlated  one  another 
in  engraving  caiiicos  and  intaghos  of  ^'irg•il,  Plato,  Aristides, 
Socrates,  Arist<)tle,  and  others  celebrated  in  the  professions. 
Alexander  the  Great  allowed  onh*  TAi-o-oteles  to  eno-rave  his 
portrait  on  gems. 

It  is  wortliN'  of  I'cmark,  the  artists  were  so  engrossed  with 
their  pleasure-giving  work  they  finished  every  jiortinii  of  it  with 
the  care  of  masters  liefore  allowing  it  to  pass  from  their  hands. 

Through  the  glyptic  art  we  are  in  ])ossession  of  the  best 
illustrati(tns  accompanying  and  handing  down  to  us  the  tradi- 
tions of  heath(Mi  myth<dogv.  Many  of  the  gods  in  statuary 
were  destro\ed  b\'  partisan  disbelievers,  but  the  hands  of  the 
destroying  iconoclasts  passed  smootlily  and  sparingly  over 
these  little  deities  in  polished  st()ne  :  like  the  pocket  reliquaries 
and  folding  altars  of  the  Greek  Church,  these  miniature  idols 
were  carried  on  the  persons  of  their  devotees  and  often  worn 
as   am^dets. 

"We  can  imagine  that  many  of  them  were  designed  and 
engraved  by  faithful  adherents,  and  weic  tims  indelibly  in- 
scribed contemporaneously  with,  and  IVom,  tlie  very  minds 
which  conceived  and  instituted  the  creeds,  and  that  those  Avho 
created  Jupiter  and  duno,  Ceres  and  Bacchus,  Hercules  and 
Deianira,  Apollo,  Isis,  and  Horus,  had  in  tlieir  synods  or  coun- 
cils gly])tic  delineators  wlio,  with  adamant,  registered  the  grand 
ideals  from  the  suggestions  and  dictations  of  tlieir  sacerdotal 
creators. 

The  antique  })astes  are  especially  interesting,  not  only  from 
the  fact  that  thev  ])resent  us  with  many  curious  mythological 
subjects,  but   tliey  are   specimens  of  a  branch  of  early  Roman 


SOUBCE  AXD   HISTORY.  '27 

in(liistr\-.  Thev  wrre  made  in  imitation  of  Oriental  stones,  of 
whi.li  the  supply  was  inadequate  for  the  great  demand  of  the 
tirst  and  second  centimes,  and  also  as  a  matter  of  economy, 
enabling  many  lovers  of  the  art  to  possess  examples  in  this 
cheaper  artificial  substance,  when  the  same  subjects  on  real 
India  stones  were  commanding  exorbitant  jn-ices. 

Some  of  them  are  beautifully  opalescent  and  iridescent. 
See  in  my  collection  Xos.  llCC,  Case  U  U  U,  Polynices,  son  of 
(Edipus;  1176,  Case  UUU,  Endymion,  the  lover  of  Diana:  and 
the  Medusa,  No.  1237,  Case  YYY,  an. imitation  sai)phire  f.und 
at  Cuma',  on  the  hill  of  ]\Iomit  Graurus,  near  Misenum :  the 
cameo  is  covered  with  la\a,  l>ut  a  fragment  mounted  on  wire 
shows  the  sui)erl)  coloi-  of  the  original  gem.  See  also  Xos. 
1217,  Case  WWW:  12:):.,  Case  YYY:  12(ili,  Case  Z  Z  Z, 
imitating  respectively  in  color,  1217  hyacinth,  12:)r)  pale  ml  )y, 
1209  sapphire.  They  were  originally  niailc  in  imitation  ot  the 
.stones  niostlv  in  demand  li\-  the  incisori,  also  stones  in  two  and 
tlii-ee  strata,  variegated  like  the  rarest  onyxes  or  agates,  and 
manv  rubies,  sapphires,    chalcedonies,   etc.  etc. 

Tliis  iridescence,  though  so  beatitiful  on  the  specimens  of 
that  uein-e.  is  onlv  owing  to  chemical  action  on  the  paste  gems 
durino-  the  centuries  tliev  have  been  buried  in  the  earth,  ilany 
interesting  intaglios  and  cameos  in  enamel  have  with.stood  the 
wear  of  ages,  and  are  in  better  condition ;  the  imitations  of  red 
jasper  are  wonderful. 

Though  the  antique  paste  cameos  and  intaglios  are  largely 
reproductions  of  subjects  also  found  engraved  on  ]netradura, 
we  are  indebtcil  to  this  class  of  gems  for  many  examples  ot 
ancient  cameos  and  intaglios  which  we  would  otherwise  never 
have  seen:  in  fact,  from  the  rare  beauty  of  some  specimens  in 
paste,  I   believe  they  never  exi.sted  in  any  other  material :   see 


28  ENGRAVED   GEMS. 

cameo  No.  1219,  Case  X  X  X,  n  figure  of  Victory  with  banner, 
trophies,  prisoners,  nnisical  instruments,  etc.  etc.;  and  Xo.  1182, 
Case  V  V  V,  a  superb  cameo,  Hebe  presented  by  ^Mercury  to 
Jupiter — the  eagk',  and  behind  tlie  chair  Juno  and  young 
Hercules:  five  figures  are  visible;  also  several  groups  in  cameo 
\\itli  liacchiis,  Silenus,  and  their  suites;  and  the  intaglio  Xo. 
1 1  :)2,  Case  V  V  V,  The  Fall  of  Phaethon.  Exact  pnuhictidiis  of 
these  subjects  are  not  to  be  met  w\x]\  m  anv  collection  of  gems 
on  hard  stones  1  liave  ever  seen.  Many  of  niv  most  authentic 
aiiti(pu^  ])ast('  gems  1  have  found  set  in  bronze  rings  or  frag- 
ments of  them  and  in  laro'e  metallic  settino-s  with  ornamental 
designs,  Avliich  nnist  have  served  as  l)rooclies  or  other  orna- 
ments of  costuiue. 

Manv  intaglios  in  antique  paste  are  representations  in  de- 
sign of  ancient  bronzes,  of  which  we  have  no  other  ti'ace  except 
their  mention  liv  early  historians. 

The  most  precious  antique  example  in  jiaste  is  the  Portland 
Vase.  It  was  discovered  in  the  sixteenth  century  in  a  sar- 
cophagus within  the  monument  of  tlie  Emperor  Alexander 
Severns  and  his  mother,  Julia  Manuva,  on  tlie  Frascati  road, 
about  two  miles  and  a  half  from  Rome.  It  was  long  known  as 
tlu^  Barberini  Vase,  having  Itelonged  to  that  family  in  Rome 
for  two  hundred  years;  thence  it  came  to  England  in  the  last 
century,  and  after  twice  changing  ownership,  at  the  death  of 
the  Duchess  of  Portland,  from  wliom  it  takes  its  name,  it  was 
sold  to  the  Duke  of  Marlborough,  and  is  now  in  the  Ih-itish 
Museum.  It  has  been  In-oken  and  mended.  It  is  about  ten 
inches  high,  and  at  the  broadest  part  six  iiu'lies  in  diameter. 
It   was   formed  of   paste,   and   afterward  engraved. 

The  paste  is  in  imitation  of  onyx,  in  two  strata,  v^hite 
upon  blue,  of  an  amethyst  tinge ;   the  figures  are  cut  in  relief 


PORTLAND  VASE. 


PORTLAND  VASE. 

(REVERSE.) 


SOURCE  AND  HISTORY.  33 

on  tlie    liu'liter    colur,    tlic    liliic    t'oriniuL;-    the    second    jilane   or 
backoTouml. 


'o' 


We  know  little  ot'  the  Assyrian  divinities  thronu'li  ancient 
niannscripts,  yet  we  have  volumes  about  their  deities  written  on 
the  cylinders  of  IJalix  Ion  and  Nineveh.  They  were  seldom  in 
metallic  inonntin,i;s,  liut,  heinn'  [liercetl  with  lioles,  were  strung- 
on  cords  and  worn  on  the  wrist  and  neck.  There  is  a  host 
of  occupants  of  the  Assyrian  lu^aven,  witli  Asshur,  the  supreme 
"od,  Beltis  ]\Iylitta,  the  m-eat  mother,  etc.  etc.,  and  on  the  seals, 
in  sard  and  chalcedony,  we  have  sacreil  doves,  lions,  horses, 
etc.,   and   a    wiiiucd   ladl,    Xin,    the  i^'od   of   hunting-,   etc.^ 

These  intaL;ho  seals  were  often  used  as  locks ;  the  doors  of 
Avine-cellars  were  secured  h\-  placing-  a  seal  upon  them.  (Cylin- 
ders have  also  l)een  made  by  several  races  of  .South  American 
Indians,  and  are  still   to  be   seen  in  Brazil. 

We  have  a,  most  interesting-  and  instructive  illustration  of  the 
yalue  of  modern  research  among  the  relics  of  anticpiity  in  the 
fact  that  in  l.So4,  Sir  Henry  Kawlinson,  in  deciphering  the 
inscriptions  on  sonu'  cylinders  found  in  the  ruins  of  Um-Kir 
(the  ancient  Ur  of  the  ( 'haldees),  made  historical  discoveries  in 
reo-ard  to  the  last  kiii"-  of  P)ab\  Ion  that  confirmed  the  truth  of 
the  book  of  Daniel,  and  harmonized  discrepancies  between 
Holy  Scripture  and  profane  history  which  up  to  that  time  bad 
been  hopelessly  irreconcilable.^ 


Among  the  bequests  from  Persia  many  gems  are  engraved 
on  the  hardest  and  most  jjrecious  stones:  they  present  ns  with 
portraits  of   their  nionarchs,  deities,  legends,  religious  creeds, 

>  See  No.  50.3,  Case  D  D.  '  See  Athmaum,  Xo.  1377. 


34  ENGRAVED    OEMS. 

and  seals  of  office.  Though  rude,  the}-  are  exceedingly  mter- 
esting  from  then-  antiquity  and  as  being  the  achievements  of  a 
people  so  remote  from  the  European  centre  of  civilization. 


The  red  sands  of  the  home  of  the  Pharaohs  have  been  un- 
tiring custodians  of  the  history  and  theologx'  on  the  temple-walls 
and  colnnms  of  ant-lent  Egypt.  We  have  upon  tlie  scarabei, 
hi  smaller  and  more  condensed  characters,  biography  and  her- 
aldry more  legible  than  many  of   the  time-worn   papyri. 

And  the  portraits  of  their  deities  are  here  more  distinctly 
traced.  Prominent  among  them  is  the  god  Anubis,  of  whom 
a  myth  relates:  "Anubis  Avas  the  son  of  Osiris  and  Nephthys, 
born  after  the  death  of  his  father."  He  is  always  represented 
with  a  dog's  head.  Isis  l:)rought  him  u})  and  made  him  her 
guard  and  companion,  who  thus  performed  to  her  the  same 
service  that  dogs  render  to  men. 

These  ruder  glyptic  examples  come  to  us  Avith  tidings  from 
an  age  of  idolatry,  from  people  of  peculiar  civilization,  earth's 
first  architects,  pioneers  in  art :  they  aid  us  essentially  in 
forming  the  suliject  of  our  historical  picture.  Though  less 
attractive  to  the  casual  observer,  they  are  very  interesting 
and   valuable. 

The  l^truscaus  were  fond  of  decoration,  and  esjiecially  of 
ornamental  stones.  They  engraved  many  intaglios,  among 
which  Ave  find  every  grade  of  Avorkmanship. 

The  rude  figures  made  bA"  drilling  a  series  of  holes  close 
to  one  another  form  a  large  proportion  of  the  designs  on 
scarabei;  tliese  are  generally  surrounded  with  a  border  re- 
sembling   the    impression    of    a    twisted    cord.      .Many    ot    them 


SOURrE  AND   HTSTORY.  35 

are  of  a  low  ilegvee  of  merit.  Tlie  Etruscans,  however,  have 
ti-arismitted  to  us  gxMiis  of  the  hi^liest  (.r(k'r. 

Tlieir  representations  of  the  anatouuoal  development  of 
human  and  animal  forms  are  very  bold.  Their  figures  are 
muscular,  and,  to  my  feeling,  are  often  posed  in  mmatural 
attitudes,  the  limbs  assuming  painfully  angular  positions. 
Wonderful  action  is  at  tunes  portrayed:  Diana  exerting  her 
nmseular  arm  and  sinewy  hand  to  di-aw  the  arrow  into  place, 
while  the  bow  presents  a  corresponding  resistance;  it  has 
power,  and  seems  awaiting  the  moment  when  Diana  shall  let 
the  messenger  speed  its  way. 

Among  their  subjects  may  he  noted  charioteers  driA-ing 
several  horses  abreast,  gladiators  and  other  combatants,  muses, 
deities,  and  heroim-s,  produced  with  the  greatest  fineness  and 
delicacy  of  touch. 


The  art  of  design  descended  from  Asia  Minor  to  the  Greeks, 
and  man\-  of  the  most  admiralde  gems  emanated  from  artists  ot 
that  natioiialitx- — not  only  tVoni  Atlu-ns.  but  also  from  the  prov- 
inces in  the  islands  of  the  Archipelago  and  Sicdy.  These  are 
principallv  intaglios,  less  deeply  cut,  but  executed  with  unrivalled 
fineness.  Their  subjects,  single  figures  and  groups,  with  fabu- 
lous and  ni\  thologioal  themes,  are  exquisite  conceptions  and 
delicatelv  traced.  Their  figures  are  represented  with  little  or 
no  draperv;  in  fact,  for  costume  we  must  look  to  the  work  ol  the 
Romans.  These  did  not  originally  excel  in  the  arts,  but  when 
the  Greeks  settled  among  them  they  proved  apt  scholars,  anil 
were  soon  inspired  by  the  mantle  which  thus  fell  upon  them. 
Their  gems  partook  of  some  of  the  Grecian  character  and 
qualities,  though  they  always  differed  in  manner  of  execution. 


36  EXfiEAVED   GEMS. 

It  is  a  si<jiiifioant  tact  that  tliey  frequently  signed  or  in- 
scriVjed  tlieir  Roman   names  in   (ireek   cliaracters. 

Tln"ouo-liont  the  tirst  and  second  <cutiu'ies  art  flourished 
and  ontrivalleil  otlier  brandies  of  indnstry.  It  was  applied 
to  beautify  every  place  and  to  a(hirn  all  things;  even  the 
termini,  pedestals  snrnioniited  l)y  the  jnst  god  Terminus/ 
presiding  over  the  division  of  lands,  and  the  Avavside  stones 
indicating  distances,  were  carved  and  shaped  with  care, 
lest  they  should  oft'end  the  luxurious  eye  (^f  the  sated 
monarch. 

With  ( 'ommodus  c(immen<'ed  insensildv  the  decline  in  gem- 
engrravins:,  thouiili  for  more  tlian  tiftv  Acars,  and  until  after 
]\Iaximinus  I'ius,  in  the  third  centurv,  we  have  many  tine 
examples,  executed  with  great  care  and  fidelity,  in  portraiture. 
During  the  ensuhig  hundred  years,  so  great  was  the  demand 
for  personal  decorations  in  military  dis})lay  that  jewels,  more 
easily  and  quickly  cut  and  of  more  dazzling  etfect,  in  a  great 
measure  supplanted  the  engraved  gems. 

The  rapidl\-  increasing  adherents  to  the  Christian  religion 
could  not  conscientiously  bedeck  themselves  with  the  mytho- 
logical deities  .comprising  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  subjects 
on  cameos. 

The  barbaric  races  employed  for  ornamentation  the  current 
coin  in  silver  and  bronze. 

When  the  decadency  of  the  other  arts  commenced,  this, 
the  gem-engraving,  the  most  delicate  and  sensitive  of  the  finer 
arts,  was  the  flrst  to  give  evidence  of  its  deterioration.  Observe 
the  remains  of  the  baths  of  Diocletian,  whose  beauty  and 
masterly  architecture  are  still  to  be  seen  in  parts  of  the  church 
of  Sancta  Maria  degli  Angeli  in  Rome,  and  then  look  at  the 

'  See  No.  1352,  Case  N  N  N  N,  in  my  collection. 


SOURCE  AXD   HISTORY.  37 

silver  and  hvonze  coin  of  the  same  emperor,  and  one  can  readily 
see  lio\\"  the  engravers  art  had  degenerated. 

If  we  wish  to  form  a  just  appreciation  of  the  quality  of 
engraving-  of  any  ancient  people,  let  us  examine  their  money, 
and  we  have  the  handiwork  of  then-  gem-engravers,  tor  it  was 
done  by  the  same  men.  It  is  remarkable  that  just  at  tliis 
period,  in  quick  succession,  three  important  classes  of  engraved 
gems  appeared,  and  were  produced  in  great  abundance. 

The  Christian,  giving  rudely  everything  pertaining  to  the 
tesserse  and  neck-charms  or  talismans  used  or  worn  l)y  that 
persectited  sect ;  the  Byzantine,  also  peculiar  and  generally 
of  a  Clu-istian  character,  though  distinct  from  the  fonner ;  the 
Abraxas  gems,  which  have  never  been  cherished  for  their 
beauty  or  artistic  merit,  but  wliich  are  deeply  interesting  from 
the  fact  that  they  give  us  almost  the  only  history  we  have  of 
the  superstitions  engraved  on  tliem. 

The  history  of  the  art  of  o'em-engTavino-  for  ag-es  after 
tliis  is  merely  marked  by  an  occasional  miserable  ])ro(luction, 
which  only  merits  mention  as  somljn^  cLuids  upoU  which 
shine  more  Ijrilliantlv  tlie  beautiful  g-ems  of  earlier  and  better 
epochs. 

There  was  no  longer  any  demand  for  gems ;  having  few 
admirers,  they  were  thrown  aside ;  many  returned  with  archi- 
tectural debris  to  tlie  bosom  of  tlie  earth,  not  to  reappear  until 
an  age  of  greater  light  and  more  worthy  of  their  possession; 
some,  however,  were  saved  liy  being  set  in  vases,  reliquaries, 
and  other  ecclesiastical  paraplit-niaha  i\>v  the  treasuries  of 
sacristies  in   tlie  churches. 

Having  glanced  at  the  general  history  of  my  suljject,  we 
will  now  make  a  systematic  reAnew  of  wliat  has  been  accom- 
plished in   tlie  glyptic  art,  following,  step  by  step,  the  progres- 


38 


EXdRA  VED    GEMS. 


sioii  from  tlie  most  ancient  times  tlironi:li  varions  nationalities 
and  eras  to  tlie  dawn  of  onr  eentnry. 

Tluis  far,  we  liave  taken  a  cnrsory  view  of  tlie  source  oi" 
the  earlier  engraved  gems  and  gem-engi'avers  known  to  glyj)- 
tologists.  We  will  now  regard  tliem  as  closely  as  possible  in 
their  chronological  order,  commencing  with  those  })eople  whom 
we  believe  to  have  first  carved  decorative  work  on  stones,  either 
for  ornamentation  or  for  use  as  tokens,  or  who  tirst  contriliutinl 
to  oiir  iiilieritaiice  objects  wortli\'  of  being  called  gems. 

At  times  we  shall  inevitablv  notice  some  nationalities  before 
others  who  ^\•ere  their  contemporaneous  workers,  biit  generally 
the  ai-rangement  will  Ije  found  to  form  the  ]irogression  already 
alluded  to,  and  Avhicli  shall  be  known  as  classified  epochs. 


EGYPTIAN. 


The  work  of  the  Egyptians  was  in  keeping-  witli  tlie  sim- 
plicitv  of  tlieii-  lives  and  their  peeuhar  rehgion.  Its  st3'le  is 
unquestionably  marked:  all  engra\-ing  from  Egyptian  hands 
is  characteristic  of  that  people,  and  not  for  a  moment  to  be 
mistaken;  every  cartouch,  e^•ery  seal,  every  scarabeus,  bears 
its  distinctive  character.  It  does  not  require  a  connoisseur  to 
recognize  or  define  it.  Often  engraved  seals  or  gems  appear 
in  one  form  or  another  which  one  hesitates  to  distinctly  classify 
as  Sassaninn  or  Persian  or  Plux'nieian ;  but  all  hieroglyphic 
amulets  emanating  from  the  land  of  Miriam  bear  tlie  peculiar 
style  and  manner  of  execution  of  the  denizens  of  the  Nile. 

In  the  tombs  of  their  kings  and  in  many  subterranean 
chambers  and  \aults  we  see  l)eautiful  i-urious  historic;;!  and 
biographical  frescos  and  other  mural  |)aintings.  Their  pro- 
ficienc^'  in  drawing  is  to  me  a  question  :  the  most  of  their  color 
pictures  are  Ijuried  with  their  dead.  To  notice  the  Egyptians 
particularly  as  they  are  connected  with  glyptology  we  must 
view  their  scarabei.  These  are  known  in  English  as  sacred 
beetles.  The  Zodiac  is  represented  in  three  of  their  temples 
at  Deiiderah,  Esneh,  and  ET)ayr,  and  the  sign  of  ("ancer  on 
these  Zodiacs  is  represented  by  the  scaraljeus,  which  takes 
the  place  of  the  crab  usually  employed  by  other  nationalities. 

In  proportion  to  the  raidv  or  wealth  of  tlieir  possessors,  they 
were  carved  on  sard,  amethyst,  dialcedony,  and'  serpentine ; 
also  on  tenderer  materials — steatite,  schist,  green,  blue,  and 
maculated  stones ;   the  greater  prt>portiou  in  vitrified  terra-cotta 

41 


42  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

— many  very  beautiful  in  ivory,  bound  or  mounted  in  silver 
rings  and  bracelets.     (See  No.  458,  Case  A  A,  in  my  collection.) 

There  were  artisans  who  engraved  the  larger  funereal  sca- 
rabei  and  kept  them  ready  made  on  sale,  so  that  in  the  event 
of  a  man  dving  unexpectedly  in  youtli  or  tin-  prime  of  life 
■who  had  licit  tliiuii^lit  to  ]n"epare  for  his  sojourn  in  the  tomli,  his 
famih'  I'cpaircd  to  these  sho])s,  and,  clionsing  a  scarabeus  to 
their  taste  or  liking,  purchased  it;  the  engraver  tlien  added  the 
name  of  tlie  deceased,  and  tliey  placed  it  under  the  wrappings 
of  the  nunumv. 

These  traffickers  also  did  a  tliriving  trade  witli  the  living: 
many  provided  themselves  in  ad\ance.  There  was  always  a 
variety  froui  whicli  to  choose;  the  engraver  had  them  for 
every  taste.  Tliey  Avere  inscribed  with  just  such  vo\\-s  or 
wishes  for  tlie  future  and  the  repose  or  the  enjoyment  of  the 
soul,  or  the  commending  of  the  soul  to  the  })atronage  and  ])ro- 
teetion  of  some  special  god  or  deess,  as  tlie  case  miglit  demand 
for  a  man  or  a  woman.  Often  selections  were  given  from  tlie 
poetic  devotional  writings  of  their  mentors,  and  frequently  we 
meet  with  selections  from  the  Book  of  the  Dead.  (See  exam- 
ple. No.  1479,  Case  E  E  E  E  E,  in  my  collection,  where  a  tptota- 
tion  from  the  thirtieth  chapter  is  given.) 

It  is  remarkable  how  much  in  these  inscriptions  eoncerned 
the  heart,  wliicli  thev  believed  indispensa1)le  for  tlie  resurrec- 
tion. The  inscription  above  referred  to  is  full  of  pathos.  The 
deceased — for  so  it  is  written — holds  converse  with  his  heart: 
"My  heart,  tliou  that  comest  to  me  from  mv  motlier,  rise  not 
in  judgment  against  me,"  etc.  etc.  On  others  we  find  fervid 
exhortations  to  the  heart  to  lie  firm,  coupled  with  expressions 
of  hope  for  great  pleasures  in  the  life  about  to  be  entered  upon. 

Attached  to  tJie  strange  hieroglyphs  forming  these  funereal 


EGYPTIAN.  43 

inscriptions  was  generally  the  name  of  the  person  for  whom 
the  scarabeiis  was  engraved,  and  sometimes  his  fatlu^r's  name; 
that  is,  he  was  often  inscribed  as  " son  of  .'" 

When  a  man  ordered  a  scarabens,  he  nsnally  carried  it  with 
liim  to  his  sepnlchre,  yet  he  no  donbt  sometimes  lost  it  or  had 
a  finer  one  made:  wliicli  will.  1  think,  account  for  tlic  fact  that 
often  on  a  miimmv  of  the  jilcbcian  class  we  find  a  number  of 
scarabei  entirely  dissimilar,  and  evidently  not  fitted  to  the 
social  position  of  the  subject.  Quantities  of  them  bearing  in- 
sci-iptions  of  other  dynasties  than  their  own,  the  names  of  mon- 
archs,  mottoes ;  and  invocations,  were  buried  with  the  dead  to  use 
on  their  arrival  at  the  portal  of  the  new  life,  that  desired  and  mys- 
terious haven  at  which  they  expected  eventually  to  arrive. 

All  Egyptian  scarabei,  in  whatever  material,  bearing  the 
hieroglyph  of  the  hawk  with  a  human  lu-ad,  have  the  same 
beautiful  significaiu-e,  the  resurrection  of  the  soul ;  the  wings 
also  represent  the  spirit's  power  of  rising  to  the  tin-one  of 
God:  they  are  the  members  indicating  that  function,  and  sym- 
bolize that  final  flight,  though  they  are  generally  closed  upon 
the  back. 

I  have  seen  a  more  poetical  form  whereon  the  wings  Avere 
represented  as  partially  clipi)ed.  This  scarabens  was  evidently 
ordered  by  the  man's  family,  and  presented  to  him  in  token 
of  love  and  that  they  woidd  delay  his  departure  for  the  realms 
of  Osiris.  It  reminds  us  of  the  grand  idea  exjiressed  by  the 
ancient  Greeks,  who  thus  indicated  that  they  kept  Victory  in 
their  possession  by  clipping  her  ])lumes  of  flight. 

( )ur  ai)petites  are  capricious,  they  are  not  always  under  our 
control,  vet  thev  certainly  can  be  cultivated.  So  also  with  our 
taste  for  art.  A  true  appreciation  of  Egyptian  art  can  only  be 
acquired    by    earnest    application,  by  long  acquaintance  with 


44  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

their  subjects  as  delineated  not  only  on  their  mural  paintings, 
but  especially  in  their  engraved  bequests  as  found  on  these 
scarabei  and  tlie  larger,  bolder  cartouches  of  the  great  temples 
wliich  remain  to-day  chiselled  monuments  of  the  tiding-s  the-s' 
haye  inscril)ed  for  posterity. 

After  long  inspection  and  close  acquaintance  I  find  a  large 
proportion  of  their  figures  maryellously  drawn,  though  yery 
peculiar,  and  awkward-looking  perhaps,  to  those  who  know 
them  not. 

Among  the  figures  the  most  perfectly  designed  we  can 
admire  their  birds — the  vulture,  signifying  mother,  maternity ; 
the  goose,  on  the  seal  of  a  prince,  signifying  the  son  of  a  king ; 
the  owl,  in  some  positions  signifying  the  preposition  ///  ,-  the 
liawk,  the  name  of  llorus;  a  graceful  heron  with  a  ])ouch  on 
its  breast,  also  the  soul:  tlie  beautifully-formed  il)is  on  a 
support  represents  the  god  Thotli.  'flirir  animals — the  cow, 
Athor ;  the  jackal,  Anubis ;  the  lioness,  consecrated  to  Sek- 
het;  and  Nephthys,  the  sister  of  Isis  and  aid  to  that  deessin  her 
guardianship  over  the  mummies,  has  a  human  face  and  is 
represented  as  weeping  ^vith  her  liand  to  her  brow.  Royal 
personages  and  divinities  artisticidly  delineated  and  posed  in 
many  positions — especially  the  sitting  figures  with  the  knees 
drawn  up,  with  various  objects  and  inqdements  in  their  hands 
— are   most    exquisitely   done. 

There  are  beautiful  sentiment  and  poetry  in  their  adapta- 
tion of  the  sun  as  a  figure,  either  at  its  rising  or  setting;  tlieir 
references  to  its  effulgence  and  to  its  diurnal  resurrection  are, 
again,  unquestionable  evidences  of  their  belief  in  the  final 
resurrection  of  the  mortal  frame  ami  of  tlie  reliabitation  of  the 
soul  in  its  original  tenement. 

Many  hieroglyphs,  though  they  are  not  very  clear,  at  least 


EGYPTIAN. 


45 


prove  their  belief  in  retriliuticni  liereafter  or  in  an  intermediate 
state.  The  recompense  that  thev  looked  for  ^^as  that  they 
should  be  spared  from  "  the  second  death  :"'  they  prayed  and 
hoped  to  live  apiin   and   to   enjoy  life. 

The  peaaltv  they  feared  was  *'  the  second  death."  We 
find  inscriptions  expressing"  love  for  and  trust  in  their  ilivinities ; 
also  the  hope  that  Horus  would  protect  and  comfort  them  in 
the  ^"ovag•e  of  transition. 

Through  their  glyptic  productions  we  have  added  to  our 
possessions .  a  more  complete  knowledge  of  their  mythology 
and  their  theologv. 

We  find  shreds  and  examples  of  the  costumes  of  the 
occupants  of  graves  of  other  ancient  nations:  these  garments 
were  made,  as  now,  that  the  l)ody  might  l)e  decorously  placed 
at  rest.  This  we  also  tind  in  Egypt,  the  mummy-wrappings 
concealing  and  protecting  the  scarabei  presenting  this  beautiful 
sentiment,  indeed  imique — a  symbol  that  was  worn  in  life, 
emblematic  of  its  ephemeral  tenure  and  of  the  ultimate  resur- 
rection from  death  and  the  gi'ave ;  a  svmbol  that  accompanied 
its  owner  to  the  narrow  home,  not  to  ornament  it,  but,  as  a 
token  of  that  tenant's  belief  that  tliis  would  be  only  a  brief 
occupancy ;  a  s}nibol  ready  to  l)e  \\(m-\\  when  that  tenant 
should  enter  on  his  resurrection  into  an  eternal  lease  of  joy  in 
a  world  be^s'ond. 


CHALDEAN,    ASSYRIAN,    AND    BABYLO- 
NIAN   CYLINDERS. 


Cylinders  are  e\idently  the  oldest  fonu  of  seals,  tliougli  it 
is  believed  that  tlie  art  oriiiinated  on  sections  of  wooden  reeds. 
We  iind  Chaldean  c^•linders  now  more  tlian  thive  thousand  five 
hundred  vears  old.  Two  exanijjles — one  described  by  M.  de 
Clercq  of  France,  and  one  l)y  Mr.  Phiches  of  the  British  Mu- 
seum— are  of  abotit  ."iSOd  r,.  c.  Others  exist  and  are  known 
whicli  are  believed  to  be  e\en  more  ancient. 

The  sifrnets  of  kings  in  the  cvlindric  form  were  incised  in 
tlie  linrder  and  nmre  precious  materials,  such  as  chalcedony  in 
several  hues,  tlie  fairest  those  tinged  with  a  sa])phire  thit  (though 
nut  the  most  ancient),  sards,  carnelians.  and  occasionally  beaiiti- 
ful  reil  jasper;  hematite  in  abundance;  serpentine  and  many 
softer  stones,  alabaster,  steatite,  etc.  etc. 

It  remains  a  question  on  what  materials  the  impressions 
were  made,  though  scientists  have  learned  that  the  figures  in 
relief  on  patties  of  pii)eclay  fiiund  so  plentifully  in  Babylonia 
are  the  imprints  of  these  cylinders.  Yet  collectors  are  at  a 
loss  to-day  to  make   good  results   with   wax,  plaster  of  Paris, 

ov  foil. 

Thouoli  man\-,  even  a  large  ]iroporti(in  of,  cylinders  are 
rudch-  desio-ned  and  more  coarseh  executed,  they  are  gener- 
all\  freelv,  vigorouslx',  and  well  drawn,  evincing  a  high  degree 
of  talent.  In  m\  opinion,  the  anatomical  drawings  ot  man 
and  beast  are  unsurpassed  in  any  age,  es})ecially  the  contest 
between  men  and  lions,  where  naturally  the  muscles  are 
strongly  developed  and  sliow  pronnnently. 

i6 


BAKVLU.NIAN    CVLINDEKS,  THE  ^uLKLi.  oi    UljIURV. 


CHALDEAN,   ASSYPxIAX,   AND   BABYLOXTAN    CYLINDERS.  49 

As  bearers  of  messages  from  tliat  remote  period  tlicy  come 
more  welcome  to  me  than  the  fairest  Greek  or  Roman  inta- 
o-lios.     With  an  iiiterestino-  inctured  and  lettered  cylinder  in 

O  O        J.  t 

mv  liand  I  feel  I  have  before  me  one  of  the  keys  to  tlie  most 
ancient  fonntain-head  of  history  ;  in  fact,  my  taste  has  grown 
and  perhaps  been  intinenced  ))y  long  association  with  such 
"•enrs,  until  I  now  often  find  more  i)leasure  in  regarding  a 
rude  fragment  of  Ass^•rian  work  tlian  I  (Ud  t\vent\'  years  ago 
when  I  sought  only  the  beautiful. 

Mv  fondness  for  tlie  Bab\loHian  cylinders  is  not  only  to  be 
accounted  for  bv  the  fact  that  they  are  indelible  manuscripts, 
lint  there  is  a  eharm  to  \\w  in  the  sentiment  of  confidence 
expressed  in  their  use  of  the  impressions  applied  from  tliem  to 
juddic  documents,  doors,  chests,  etc. — the  confidence  tliat  when 
those  seals  were  attached  no  honorable  nuni  would  enter  or  \n-\ 
within.  The  same  idea  is  expi-essed  in  No.  1262,  Case  7j7iZ, 
the  Ilippogriff,  which  \vhen  sealed  upon  a  letter  was  considered 
the  custodian  of  a  secret.  In  a  word,  this  impression  was  tlie 
lock,  and  the  seal,  the  key,  with  wliich  they  closed  their  treas- 
iires.  In  fact,  as  lati-  as  the  second  century  is.  ('.  we  only  begin 
to  find  anx'tliing  like  a  lock  and  kev,  and  these  rude  and  frail. 
I  possess  a  collection  of  these  ancient  keys  which  came  fronr 
the  Strozzi  familv,  to  which  collj.H-tion  dm-ing  many  years  I 
have  adde(l  ;t  nnmbt'V  of  specimens,  tlu'ongh  Avhich  I  have 
considered  the  measures  for  surety  adopted  by  the  ancients. 

The  place  of  these  Balivlonian  cylinders  in  the  history  of 
art  cannot  be  classed  as  decorative,  for  as  they  were  originally 
used  ordv  as  seals,  and  mostly  business  or  official  signets,  they 
were  not  at  that  time  worn  to  decorate  the  per.son,  tliough  they 
were  worn  on  necklaces  and  bracelets  by  the  ancient  Greeks. 
I  have   seen   and   admired   fifteen   or   twent}'   cylinders   strung 


50 


EXGRA  VED    GEMS. 


together,  in  the  possession  of  mv  ffiend  Dr.  Wilham  Hayes 
AVard,  the  Assyriologist,  of  New  York,  when  one  day  he  came 
and  showed  them  to  nic;  I  tlionght,  How  hcautiful  a  neck- 
lace !  They  were  exceptionally  charming  examples,  in  car- 
nclian,  jasper,  white  and  pale  blue  chalcedony,  amethyst, 
lapis   lazuli,   etc. 

It  is  with  pleasiu-e  I  record  the  fact  that  we  in  America  are 
rapidly  acquiring-  representative  collections  of  these  treasiu'es, 
and  liojie  tlie  enterprise  of  the  Babylonian  Exploration  Fund 
may  be  crowned  a\  ith  the  success  due  to  the  energy  of  the 
learned  men  who  have  projected  and  organized  the  under- 
taking. 

The  fact  that  Dr.  A\'illiam  Pepper,  Provost  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  has  been  untiring  in  his  efforts  for  tliis  cause, 
gives  much  promise  of  the  early  prosecution  of  the  work,  the 
intended  accpiisition  of  many  more  interesting  messages  from 
ancient  Assyria  and  Babylonia. 


^■« 


£i^ 


FEKSIAN    AND    SASSAXIAN    SEAL?. 


ASSYRIAN,    PERSIAIT,    AND    SASSANIAN 

SEALS. 


These  seals  ai-e  recognizable  hj  their  peculiar  forms — gen- 
eralh'  coiiical  or  splK-rical — ami  by  tlie  distinctive  character  of 
their  designs  and  ini-ision.  The  spherical  seals  are  flattened  on 
one  side  for  the  intaglio :  all  are  pierced,  so  that  they  may  l)e 
strung  on  a  ribbon  or  leather  cord;  they  were  worn  hanging 
on  the  breast.  Those  bearing  the  effigies  of  their  proprietors 
are  in  a  large  proportion  rudely  cut  i  yet  the  portraits  of  mon- 
archs  are  usually  tine  intaglios,  with  oval-shaped  heads  and  vis- 
ages, often  with  wavy  hair  and  l)eards.  There  is  inund  a  large 
series  of  subjects  adopted  In'  their  owners  on  account  of  their 
superstitious  belief  in  their  talisinanic  \irtues — reiiresentations 
of  animals  considered  sacred,  siudi  as  the  mouffion,  resembling 
a  large  horned  ram  ;  the  gervoise,  resembling  a  kangaroo  ;  and 
quite  a  seines  of  rudelv-drawn  animals  emblematic  of  vigilance, 
fidelity,  courage,  strength,  etc.  etc.  Sometimes  on  seals  as  well 
as  on  cylinders  a  full-length  figure  is  given  in  ^^hose  costume 
there  is  a  marked  peculiarity  of  di-apery,  the  folds  crossing  the 
form.  Thev  are  on  a  great  variety  of  chalcedonies,  sards,  jas- 
pers, and  otliev  bemitiful  stones  of  color,  and  make  a  very 
attractive  display  when  clioice  examples  are  formed  into 
necklaces,  as  they  frequently  have  been. 

The  seals  of  these  epochs,  which  seem  to  have  superseded 
the  cylinders,  are  found  in  several  forms. 

Those  of  the  Assyrians,  dating-  as  far  back  as  1110  B.C., 
resemble  in  form  the  bells  herdsmen  hang  upon  their  grazing 
cattle,  that  they  may  hear  them  when  they  have  strayed ;  they 


53 


54  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

are  pierced  and  seldom  have  inscriptions;  as,  No.  1427,  Plate 
39,  and  Nos.  U41  to  1449,  Case  C  C  C  C  C. 

The  Persian  are  of  two  forms — a  cone  whose  sides  are  flat- 
tened and  pierced,  the  engraved  part  presenting  an  oval  flat 
face,  as  No.  1381,  Plate  38;  and  again  spherical,  pierced;  the 
side  of  the  globe  on  which  is  the  engraving  has  a  flat  round 
face,  as  No.  506,  Plate  37. 

Those  of  the  Sassanian  or  later  Persian  period  are  like  unto 
the  former  in  shape :  they  are,  however,  often  ornamented  on 
the  convex  surface,  as  No.  511,  Plate  37,  and  No.  1383,  Plate 
38,  and  contain  inscriptions  in  the  Pehlevi  character  or  lan- 
guage. 

Naturally,  they  were  employed  on  commercial  and  other 
documents,  hut  a  single  example  will  show  how  they  were 
applied  and  the  service  they  rendered  at  an  earlier  date.  Imag- 
ine Theloparnos,  an  agriculturist,  guarding  his  fruits  and  their 
juices,  the  wines  of  that  day,  in  mounds  covering  a  sub-cellar 
and  shading  it  from  tlie  vivid  rays  of  an  Oriental  sini ;  the 
door  closed  with  wax  upon  Avhich  his  seal  had  set  an  impress, 
that  muler  the  jjrimitive  code  of  his  epoch  rendered  it  seciu-e : 
no  one  in  the  community  would  break  that  seal ;  as  he  would 
guard  his  honor  and  the  respect  of  his  fellows,  so  he  would  not 
tamper  with  that  simple  seal.  Is  this  not  a  lesson  to  us  to-day 
— the  day  of  bolts  and  bars,  and  honorless  men  who  Ijreak 
them  with  force  ?  I  cannot  better  convey  an  idea  of  the  use 
of  these  seals  tlian  l)v  (pwting  the  following  incident  given  by 
C.  W.  King,  A.  il.,  whose  letters  to  me  on  tliis  subject  are 
treastu-ed:  "Even  after  locks  of  some  kind  had  come  into 
general  use  (for  Roman  keys  are  plentiful  enough),  the  good 
housekeeper  made  assurance  doubly  sure  by  putting  his  seal 
on  the  storeroom  duor  e\erv  time  he  closed  it.     Tliis  was  the 


■  ASSYRIAN,    PERSIAX,    AND    SASSAXIAN   SEALS.  57 

duty  of  the  mistress  of  tlic  lioiise,  for  Vopisciis  qiiotes,  in 
illustriition  of  Aurelian's  simjjle  mode  of  life,  tlmt  he  made 
his  wife  contimie  to  carrv  tlie  'anmdus  signetorius'  ns  when 
they  were  hoth  in  a  private  station.  l)ioj>'enes  Laertius,  to  put 
in  the  stronp-est  huht  the  sim])h(it\'  of  Lae\'des  the  ])liilosopher, 
tells  a  storv  that  whenever  he  liad  dccasidu  to  hrinii-  anythinj^- 
out  of  his  pnntrv,  ;ifter  sealinii'  it  \\\^  he  used  to  throw  tlie  ring 
into  it  thrnUL;li  a  hole  in  tlic  door,  for  fear  liis  servants  sliould 
take  it  off  his  huiicr  when  asleep  and  tlierewith  reseal  tlie  place 
after  they  had  helpe(l  themselves  to  the  comestibles.  But  his 
servants,  observing  his  sapient  precaution,  imitated  his  mode 
of  procedure,  invaded  the  ])antl•^"  in  all  secnrit\",  scaled  the 
door  again,  and  rei)laced  the  ring  in  the  way  shown  them  by 
their  sagacious  master." 

Is  it  not  interesting  to  ha\'e  these  seals,  real  heii'looms  of 
antiquitv — to  understand  their  designs  and  to  comprehend  to  a 
certain  extent  their  inscriptions? 

The  Sassanian  intaglios  were  executed  by  a  later  ])eople  of 
the  sanu'  Persian  race.  They  seem  to  have  been  made  less  fre- 
quentlv  with  a  view  to  securitv  or  as  professional  seals;  they 
Avere  more  endjleniatic  of  religious  belief,  and  were  used  as 
talismans — mystic  guardians  against  evils,  dangers,  and  acci- 
dents. Was  it  not  a  blessed  condition  of  superstition  t  The 
bliss  of  their  ignorance  made  them  walk  fearlessly  through  a 
world  otlierwise  a  held  of  snares. 

It  is  easy  to  arrive  at  this  conclusion,  for  we  hud  them  in 
the  form  of  anndets  with  h(des  by  which  they  could  l)e  attached 
either  to  a  garment  or  suspended  aroimd  the  neck. 

Though  mv  subject  conci'rns  engraved  stones,  I  shall  men- 
tion in  this  connection  curious  oval,  delta-shaped,  and  round  Per- 
sian anndets  of  this  ])eriod  in  mv  ])ossession,  carefully  cut  in  ca- 


58  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

boclion,  not  enyraved,  often  mounted  in  silver,  bronze,  and  otlier 
metal.s,  which  were  can'ied  on  the  person  as  defenders  against  the 
inheritance  of  all  men  since  Eve's  hnsband  made  lis  his  heirs. 

Tlie  Sassanian  intaglios  of  the  seventh  century  have  gen- 
erallv  inscriptions  expressing  religious  sentiments,  and  often 
liierogh'phies :  it  is  here  we  find  the  characters  in  the  Pehlevi 
language,  and,  as  in  the  Abraxas,  an  occasional  Greek  letter. 
The  materials  on  wliich  thev  are  engraved  are  in  many  cases 
beautiful  and  rai-e  Oriental  stones,  though  those  in  my  collec- 
tion are  in  different  colored  jaspers,  sards,  carnelian,  brown 
alabaster,  and  striated  chalcedony. 


CO 

H 


ETEUSCAN. 


The  Cdiintrv  of  the  ancient  Etruscans  was  north  from  the 
Tiber  to  the  C'iininian   Forest  and  the  Tolfa   Mountains. 

They  have  bequeatheil  us  a  mass  of  yem.s,  a  hirg-e  iirojior- 
tion  in  tlu-  i'nrm  of  scarabei,  and  many  really  tine  intaglios, 
^\hi(•ll  were  not  onl\'  used  as  seals,  but  served  as  decorations, 
both  in  finger-rings  and  as  brooches  for  women.  The  Etrus- 
can tondis  liave  vielded  many  scarabei  in  mountings  of  virgin 
gold,  sometimes  the  i)recious  metal  twisted,  again  corrugated; 
also  some  ornamental  gold-work  as  brooches.  The  sard  and 
chalcedony  beetles  usually  have  an  engraved  beaded  margin, 
and  were  revolvalde,  being  set  on  a  pi\(tt  which  was  attached 
to  a  frame  generalh'  oval  in  form.  I  have  one  such  lirooch  in 
ancient  In-onze  with  delicate  ornamental  gold-wire  rigures  inset, 
producing  an  effect  rarely  ec^uallcil  in  my  opinion  by  tlie  jewel- 
lers of  an^■  modern  nation. 

The  Etruscan  gl\ptic-work  is  i)eculiar,  and  muth  ot  it 
rude:  for  example,  a  warrior  beside  a  horse,  botli  man  and 
beast  produced  by  a,  series  of  cavities  deeply  drilled  and 
connected  by  less  deeply  cut  grooves.  Many  tine  examples 
are  exfpiisite  in  execution,  but  all  are  evidently  irom  the 
same  i)eculiar  schuul  ;  so  much  so  that  almost  any  intelligent 
observer  of  sucli  objects,  if  given  a  hun(h-ed  specimens  of 
intaglios  of  various  nationalities,  would  readily  recognize  and 
correctly  select  all  the  Etruscan  intaglios  therefrom.  They 
are  fouiul  on  sard,  carnelian,  chalcedony,  amethyst,  etc.  etc. 

There  are  specimens  of  Etruscan  intaglios  known  to  have 


61 


62 


ENGRAVED    GEMS. 


been  cut  seven  hundred  years  b.  c.  wliidi  crive  evidence  of  an 
art-civilization  liifildy  advanced.  Their  subjects  seldom  coii- 
tniii  more  than  two  figures,  as  the  field  on  whicli  they  are 
engraved  is  rather  circuniscril)ed  :  Hercules  in  many  attitudes, 
with  club  or  bow  or  struggling  with  a  lion  ;  his  various  labors; 
armorers,  always  forging ;  Achilles  and  I'lysses  in  many  posi- 
tions (see  No.  530,  Case  F  F) ;  animals  with  their  legs  and 
horns  distorted,  so  limited  was  the  space  on  which  to  repre- 
sent a  design  with  action. 

We  find  in  their  inscriptions  some  unique  characters  purely 
Etruscan,  several  ^^■lli(•h  seem  to  luive  been  the  source  of  Latin 
letters,  and  others  resembling  the  Greek. 


e 

X 


"* ,  \i|it;"iiii,ifi  !<  { 


PHCENIOIAN. 


Herodotus  sjieaks  of  the  PhcEiiicians  as  a  branch  of  tlie 
Semitic  (ir  Araiiucau  nations;  tlicy  originally  dwelt  on  the 
shores  of  the  P^rvthrean  Sea.  They  also  occupied  islands  in 
the  Persian  Gidf,  amony-  others  Aradus  and  Tvlns,  where 
temples  in  Pluvnician  architecture  Avere  found;  and  it  is  known 
that  the  Pli(enicians  left  these  islands  and  colonized  in  the 
^Egean  and  Mediterranean  seas  before  the  time  of  Joshua, 
1444  B.  c. 

Of  the  liomans  and  the  Grecians  we  have  their  history 
through  the  writings  of  their  own  liistorians;  and  of  the  Egyp- 
tians, Ijv  their  monuments  teeming  with  hierog-lyphics,  history, 
and  theology.  Of  the  Phoenicians  little  is  extant  in  writinsrs 
from  their  own  people;  we  are  dependent  on  what  other  nations 
have  recorded — in  fact,  wliat  we  know  of  them  may  be  termed 
tradition.  The  Pha-nicians  were  termed  "the  merchants  of 
many  isles."  We  can  hardly  say  they  cultivated  the  arts  at 
home,  for  wherever  the}-  went,  there  the}'  made  their  home ; 
on  every  island  inhabited  by  them  are  found  evidences  of  their 
industry  as  gem-cutter.s — intaglios,  scarabei,  and  seals.  I  re- 
member how  I  was  impressed  on  going  ashore  at  Svra  and 
"walking  through  its  beautiful  amphitheatral  city  of  to-day, 
whose  site  had  once  known  those  very  Phcenicians,  examples 
of  whose  gems  may  be  seen  in  Case  G  G  of  my  collection. 

They  emigrated  as  far  west  as  Sardinia.  Sardinia  was 
originally  called  Sandaleotis,  from  its  form,  Avhich  resembles 
a  human  foot  or  its  imprint,  where  during  centui-ies  a  mod- 


65 


66  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

erate  liarvest  has  been  reaped  of  gems  emanating  from  tlieir 
handiwork. 

I'o  a  practised  eye  their  work  is  distingnishable  from  that 
of  other  nations ;  the  touch,  drawing,  execution,  and  the  dis- 
tinctive character  of  their  subjects  render  them  readily  recog- 
nizable. Yet  the  symbolic  characters  are  not  entirely  dis- 
tinctive, for  they  often  clearly  indicate  imitation  of  Assyrian 
and  P]gyptian  work  and  design.  For  that  reason  it  is  often 
difficult  to  decide  or  classify  gem-objects  found  in  many  of  the 
islands  colonized  by  them,  from  the  very  fact  tliat  in  design 
they  at  times  lack  originality. 

Many  of  their  subjects  were  emblematic  of  their  religion — 
the  source  of  light  and  heat,  Baal  the  sun,  altars  and  temples 
(see  ring  from  Tharros  in  Sardinia,  No.  559,  Case  G  G).  In 
regard  to  the  great  variety  of  emblems  of  deities  found  on 
their  engraved  gems,  it  has  lieen  remarked  that  every  com- 
munity or  city  had  its  own  gods,  which  became  famous  and 
recei\ed  general  adoration  in  that  section  by  ha\ing  liccn 
adopted  and  worshipped  by  some  one  or  other  of  their  dis- 
tinguished and  honored  men,  and  their  families  and  followers 
becoming  adherents  of  this  worship,  its  renown  quickly  spread, 
was  accepted,  and  registered  on  the  stones  forming  their  seals, 
talismans,  and  gems. 

'^riieir  great  variety  may  also  be  accounted  foi-  from  the  tiU't 
that  the  migratory  Phoenicians,  wherever  they  went,  in  what- 
ever island  they  settled,  each  separate  colony  imbued  w'uh  its 
sjiecial  legends,  set  up  monuments  and  altars  to  their  peculiar 
shade  of  creed,  and  the  character  of  their  religious  inscriptions 
was  influenced  bv  the  education  they  had  received  from  tlieir 
leaders  or  teachers.  After  all,  the  principles  of  their  idolatry 
were  analogous  with  those  of  the  nations  of  their  epoch. 


PH  CRN  I  CI  AN. 


67 


They  also   engraved  intaglios  on   iron   and  bronze ;    tlieir 
scarabei  are  interesting,  though  less  numerous  than  those  ot 
nations  coeval  \\  itli  tlit-iu.     Their  gems  therefore  hold  an  inter- 
estino-  place,  though  thev  have  contriljuted  little  that  is  beauti- 
ful in  the  history  of  decorative  art. 

The  islands  of  the  .Egeau  Sea,  and  of  the  Mediterranean, 
were  as  pillars  or  piers  to  the  vast  bridge  of  civilization  across 
which  the  Phtenicians  emigrated,  moving  on  favorable  occasions 
in  their  frail  crafts  from  island  to  island  until  at  last  rhey 
passed  the  strait  now  known  as  Gibraltar  and  created  colonies 
on  the  shores  of  the  great  ocean,  where  they  left  types  of  their 
art-work  and  traces  of  their  race  which  we  to  this  day  recog- 
nize in  the  brows  and  other  features  of  their  remote  descend- 
ants. 


GRECIAlSr. 


Greece  was  the  source  of  the  finest  and  richest  glyptic  art- 
treasures  in  a  decorative  sense.  Grecian  intaghos  are  of  superl) 
execution,  of  exquisite  fineness  and  finisli.  Tliis  superiority 
can  in  a  measure  be  accounted  for  by  the  encouragement  the 
profession  received  from  the  nation,  both  from  rulers  and  from 
the  people.  In  proportion  to  the  extended  culti^■ati(ln  of  taste 
and  the  increased  demand,  tlie  ranks  of  the  iiicisori  were 
repleted.  Among  so  many  contestants  rivalry  and  emulation 
had  a  very  happy  effect  in  forming  and  creating  artists  Avho 
were  indeed  eminent,  and  whose  works  even  to-day  sparkle 
as  jewel-gems  in  the  diadem  which  crowns  the  history  of  their 
place  in  art. 

My  impression  is  that  no  engravers  of  intaglios  ever  attained 
the  same  high  point  of  excellence  in  execution  throughout  all 
the  earlier  centuries  in  which  the  art  flourished ;  yet  I  believe, 
as  I  have  elsewhere  remarked,  that  much  of  the  work  of  Bene- 
detto Pistrucci,  Calandrelli,  Amastini,  G.  Pickler,  Girometti, 
and  others,  in  tlie  close  of  the  eighteenth  nml  the  earlier 
years  of  the  nineteenth  century,  compares  favorably  even 
with  that  of  Satvralus,  Dioscorides,  or  Pyrgoteles  of  ancient 
Greek  renown. 

The  fjem-euffravers  of  Greece  were  mostlv  natives,  though 
some  came  from  Asiatic  countries  and  worked  profitably  in 
the  land  of  their  choice,  the  then  Paradise  of  sculpture.  Evi- 
dence is    seen  of  this  emigration   in  certain   Greek    intaglios, 


68 


GRECIAN.  71 

whose  peculiar  designs  and  execution  indicate  that  the  artist 
was  reared  where  cyhnder-  and  seal-work  had  influenced  the 
formation  of  his  manner  or  style. 

The  general  character  of  their  sixbjects  is  a  galaxy  of 
mythological  figures  and  groups  and  heads  or  miniatures  on 
stone  of  deities,  princes,  and  sovereigns.  Many  <^f  the  finer 
and  most  precious  of  their  intaglios  were  wonderful  in  the 
deptli  of  their  incision,  while  in  their  more  minute  cameos 
the  figures  were  produced  in  very  slight  relief  Their  larger 
subjects  in  cameo  are  in  conception  and  execution  masterly, 
and  command  the  sincere  admiration  they  have  universally 
received  and  well  merited. 

The  perfect  finish,  polish,  and  detail  of  tlieir  choicest 
examples  render  them  superior  to  the  gems  of  any  other 
people,  eveii  to  nianv  that  come  from  Roman  sources. 

It  is  often  almost  impossible  intelligently  to  explain  the 
difterence  between  the  gems  of  the  Greeks  and  the  Romans ; 
such  power  of  distinguishing  one  from  the  other  is  only  to  be 
gained  by  long  observation  and  close  study  of  the  subject. 

The  Greeks  also  used  seals  to  close  vaults,  closets,  caskets, 
etc.  witli  hard  wax  impressions  as  security  against  the  designs 
of  the  prying  and  curious  to  meddle  with  their  possessions; 
and  it  is  an  historical  fact  that  unprincipled  women,  in  whom 
the  power  of  inciuisitiveness  v,-as  strongly  developed,  found 
artists  to  imitate  these  seals,  and  thus  peered  into  what  should 
have  been  unseen  liy  them.  Yet  some  Grecian  seals  which 
I  have  seen  were  so  cunningly  devised  and  engraved  with 
a  complication  of  geometrical  lines,  which  added  to  their 
artistic  value,  the  fact  that  this  means  of  fraud  was  rendered 
almost  impossible. 

(For  examples  of  Greek  cameos  see  occasional  specimens 


72 


ENGRAVED    GEMS. 


in  cases  throughout  the  first  alphabet ;  and  for  Greek  in- 
tagUos,  see  hkewise  Case  AAA,  ami  on  to  H  H  H.  They  ai-e 
distributed  through  eight  cases.  The  finest  is  my  intaglio  by 
Dioscorides,  No.  901,  Case  E  E  E.) 

Many  objects  have  recently  been  discovered  at  IMyceui^e, 
among  -which  ai-e  engraved  gems  bearing  effigies  of  animals 
curiously  and  artistically  drawn,  and  which  by  their  Oriental 
style  prove  that  the  ancient  Greeks,  who  bequeathed  so  much 
'to  their  successor-^,  also  inherited  art-models  from  a  people 
lOUO  years  b.  c. 


GR^CO-EOMAN. 


During  a  long  period  of  wars  before  the  reign  of  Augustus, 
Greece,  Asia  Minor,  and  Egypt  had  been  despoiled  of  their 
most  sublime  art-decorations.  The  classic  artists  of  Greece, 
seeing  their  occupation  at  home  in  a  measure  gone,  and  long- 
insr  to  be  affain  suri-ounded  bv  the  great  works  of  their  ancient 
masters,  turned  their  thoughts  to  the  Roman  Empire  and  its 
art-encoiiraging  rulers,  with  the  hope  of  there  renewing  their 
fortunes  by  aiding  in  the  embellishment  of  the  capital  of  the 
world,  so  nuu-h  was  to  l)e  done ;  and  they  left  their  native 
land  to  partake  in  the  great  work  of  the  Western  capital. 

They  came  from  Greece  to  Rome  expert  in  their  profession, 
merely  seeking  the  market  of  the  world.  There  is  nmch  in 
the  adage  that  a  pi-ophet  is  better  received  in  countries  foreign 
to  the  land  of  his  birth,  yet  we  nmst  confess  there  was  a  fine- 
ness in  the  execution  of  their  engraved  gems,  especially  their 
intaglios,  which  connnanded  the  admiration  of  the  Romans,  by 
whom  thev  were  received  as  master-workmen.  They  were 
assiduous,  painstaking,  and  adept.  As  regards  their  subjects, 
they  came  to  their  new  field  of  labor  iuid  of  art  with  the 
religious  sentiments  and  mythological  subjects  of  tlu-ir  Grecian 
culture.  They  came,  therefore,  not  as  strangers,  but  liighly 
appreciated  by  all. 

There  were  skilled  painters,  sculptors,  chisellers  in  l)ronze, 
and  architects.  They  decorated  the  magnificent  buildings, 
sumptuous  palaces,  majestic  temples,  forums,  theatres,  amj^hi- 
theatres,  arches  of  triumph,  thernue,  and  imposing  sepulchres. 


7a 


76  ENGRAVED   GEMS. 

All  these  structures  needed,  and  thus  received,  the  adornment 
of  works  by  classic  artists. 

These  Greek  emigrants  were  welcomed  in  their  new  home, 
and  this  day  I  hclicve  we  have  profited  hy  this  commingling 
of  the  artistic  conceptions  of  these  two  races. 

With  these  men  came  the  gem-engravers,  and  to  their 
o-enius  and  the  excellence  of  their  productions  and  their  co- 
operation Avith  the  Romans  do  we  owe  the  beautiful  examples 
that  are  to  be  seen  to-day  in  the  museums  of  the  civilized 
world. 


iaiMA.v. 


ROMAN. 


All  Romans  born  AA-ere  Roman  at  heart:  they  had  inherited 
knowledge,  and  even  some  style  as  incisori,  from  the  Etruscans, 
yet  they  advocated  Roman  rules  and  practised  art  in  the  Roman 
manner. 

Especially,  gem-engraving  had  its  distinctive  character  until 
the  exodus  t'rom  Greece  brought  them  not  diily  cdinjianions, 
but  art-masters,  whom  they  intelligently  appreciated,  and  recog- 
nized quickly  the  points  in  wliicli  the  new-comers  excelled. 
They  received  with  friendly  sjjirit  the  talented  Greeks  who 
colonized  among  them ;  they  regarded  with  studious  attention 
their  woi'k ;  they  emulated  them  and  strove  to  excel  them  in 
the  grandeur  of  their  subjects  and  fineness  of  execution ;  and, 
diligently  pursuing  their  course,  Ave  find  them  monopolizing 
the  trade  early  in  the  first  century. 

The  general  supply  of  engraved  gems  throughout  the  next 
two  hundred  and  iifty  years  was  from  Roman  sources  purely, 
or  from  Greeks  Avho  had  so  thoi-onghly  identified  themselves 
with  Roman  interests  and  Roman  citizenship  that  it  is  now 
difficult  to  draw  the  line  of  distinction. 

It  is  just  to  credit  Rome  with  having  made  the  greatest 
contribution  of  fair  pictured  gem-stones  to  the  ancient  gar- 
lands which  decorate  the  history  of  art. 


79 


ABRAXAS. 


The  veil  which  covers  all  history  concerning'  the  mystical 
Gnostics,  who  began  soon  after  the  promnlgation  of  the  religion 
of  Christ  and  existed  two  or  three  centnries,  renders  the  task  of 
explaining  many  of  their  representations  a  difficult  one. 

The  legends  engraved  on  their  abundant  amulets  are  almost 
inexplicable.  Their  gem-work,  these  talismans,  are  known  as 
Abraxas.  The  fonnula  of  their  secret  worship,  which  mysteri- 
ously hid  their  meaning  from  even  the  followers  of  their  own 
sect,  was  based  on  the  two  words — Mithras,  MEI0PA2,  and 
Abraxas,  ABPAXA2. 

In  the  diagram  below  the  kno^^'n  values  of  Greek  enumera- 
tion are  given  to  each  letter,  and  it  is  found  that  their  sum 
gives  the  number  of  the  days  of  the  solar  year : 

M—  40 
E—  5 
I—  10 

e—   9 

P— 100 
A—  1 
2—200 

365  liiiys.  365  days. 

They  engraved  on  many  of  their  gems  the  name  of  God, 
lACU,  and  represented  him  a  ]ian-theus  made  up  of  the  sym- 
bols of  the  four  elements — the  serpent,  eagle,  the  human  trunk, 
and  a  scourge — combining  also  many  attributes  of  solar 
divinit}^ 

They  were  Pagans,  Jews,   and  Christians,  and  we  find  in 

80 


A- 

-     1 

B- 

•> 

P- 

-100 

A- 

-   1 

X- 

-  60 

A- 

-     1 

2- 

-200 

ABRAXAS.  83 

their  inexliaiistible  inscriptions  a  series  of  emblems,  Hebrew 
and  Svriae,  a\  hieli  dimly  show  forth  Christ  the  Son  and  Sun 
of  Rio-hteousness  witli  AAONAI,  and  the  seven  Greek  vowels 
svrabolic  of  the  seven  heavens.  These  Greek  vowels  have 
often  amused  me  when  I  have  shown  an  Abraxas  talisman 
with  loni;-  inscription  to  some  Greek  scholar  not  acquainted 
with  their  o-ems,  who  would  stumble  when  he  reached  the 
other  characters. 

These  engraved  stones  of  tliis  peculiar  people  are  in  basalt, 
hematite,  red  and  gi-een  jaspers,  sard,  and  even  beautiful  chal- 
cedony-onyx. (See  561,  Case  H  H,  with  a  figure  of  Sabaon 
and  raised  inscription.) 

Thev  were  worn  bv  them  as  amulets  or  talismans;  the 
persons  wearing  or  carrying  them  did  not  understand  the 
marks  or  inscriptions  upon  them;  they  were  sacred  tjijes  of 
the  mysteries  of  theii-  religion  or  superstitious  creed,  and  were 
only  understood  by  their  inventors  and  tlie  Gnostic  priests. 
Unlike  the  white  stone  refeiTed  to  in  Revelation  ii :  17,  on 
Avhicli  was  engi-aved  a  name  knoAMi  only  to  the  giver  and  the 
receiver,  these  Abraxas  gems  wert-  unintelligible  to  the  receiver; 
the  owner  wore  them  in  blind  l)elief. 


BYZANTINE. 


In  the  fourth  century  Constantine  established  the  seat  of 
the  emph-e  in  Byzantium.  He  sAstematically  despoiled  Rome 
of  what  was  easily  transportable  to  embellish  his  favorite  resi- 
dence, Constantinople.  He  established  art-schools,  and  again 
artisans  followed  the  prevailing  tide.  Tliis  transient  revival 
of  the  arts  added  Ijrilliance  to  his  court,  l)ut  the  arrest  of  the 
decline  was  only  temporary. 

During  the  succeeding  Byzantinian  rule  the  whole  empire, 
and  especially  Italy,  was  overrun  and  domiciled  by  hordes 
from  barbarous  nations,  who,  if  we  attriljute  no  worse  motives, 
in  their  ignorance  encouraged  the  incendiary  and  the  despoiler, 
rejoicing  in  the  destruction  of  the  palatial  edifices  and  historic 
monuments ;  and  thus  the  smaller  objects  of  value  were  carried 
oif  and  scattered,  and  we  now  find  them  dispersed  o\-er  the 
continent  of  Europe. 

The  decline  in  gem-engraving  gradually  became  entire 
extinction  in  the  fifth  century  in  those  countries  where  the 
cameos  of  the  then  known  A\orld  had  been  executed.  The 
Byzantines  seem  to  have  profited  by  what  proved  to  be  a 
monopoly  for  them,  and  under  Imperial  patronage  must  have 
been  industrious,  judging  from  the  scrijitural  or  religious  cameos 
we  find  in  such  quantities  bearing  uncpiestionably  the  character 
of  their  work. 

I  certainly  admire  and  cherish  what  is  beautiful  and  that 
which  is  representative  of  the  greatest  skill  and  the  finest  art- 
culture,  yet  there  is  to  me  an  indescribable  attraction  in  the 


Si 


BYZANTINE. 


BYZANTINE. 


87 


strange  drinvin<4'  and  often  gi'otesque  designs  of  the  Byzantines 
— tliose  long  mnscnlar  arms  witli  awkward  hands,  yet  so  nat- 
ural;  meagre,  graceless  forms,  questionahle  in  their  anatom}-; 
sinewy  legs  with  cJumsy  joints ;  feet  distorted  as  by  excessive 
jdodding;  snd  faces  really  full  of  grief;  appealing  counten- 
ances saying  they  sufter;  figures  of  saintly  women  whose 
holiness  depicts  no  courage ;  trembling,  shivering,  spiritless 
madonnas,  weird-featured  and  coarse-handed,  grouped  beneath 
a  divinely-laden  cross,  and  that  L)i^•init^'  a  being  grotesquely 
unlike  our  concejjtion,  with  lines  upon  his  face  that  should 
have  been  labeled  "  beard." 

Side  by  side  with  this  qiiaint  array  there  are  many  engraved 
stones  bearing  unquestionably  the  Byzantine  type  whidi  are  in 
every  sense  beautiful  gems — portraits  of  C'ln-ist  whii-li,  even 
with  their  peculiar  rendering,  have  more  divinit}-  in  them  than 
many  fairer  cameos  of  earlier  or  of  any  other  period  (see  No. 
575,  Case  1 1).  In  that  Oriental  jasper  Christ  is  portrayed  as 
a  loving,  gentle,  forgiving  Redeemer :  no  droj)  is  there,  and  yet 
there  are  tears  in  tliose  eyes.  It  is  what  the  law  of  Moses  had 
forbidden — a  likeness  of  something  in  heaven,  a  portraiture  of 
Divinity. 

Innumerable  scenes  and  groups — the  anniinciation  of  the 
angel  Gabriel  to  the  Virgin  Mary ;  the  scene  in  the  manger, 
the  adoration,  the  crowning  with  thorns,  Christ  bearing  his 
cross  and  showing  to  Thomas  the  wound  in  his  side;  in  fact, 
every  phase  in  the  remarkable  event  which  purchased  eternal 
salvation  for  man. 


CHINESE. 


The  g'lyptic  work  of  the  Cliinese  is  pi-incipally  what  is 
designated  hasso-rUieco ;  it  is  on  nacre,  bronze,  jade,  ame- 
th}-8t,  and  agahiiatoHte.  What  i)atience  it  must  have  required 
to  cut  those  ornaments  in  jade  for  sceptres  and  oflicial  swords  ! 
Many  pieces  which  we  see  only  in  museums  have  cost  years 
of  hxborious  engraving.  Jade  has  therefore  been  liehl  by  the 
Chinese  as  emblematic  of  all  vii-tues. 

We  have  i-epresentations  of  change  of  costume  on  their 
porcelains  and  faience,  but  ver}-  few  specimens  liave  been 
preserved  intact,  and  those  insufficient  to  give  us  data  farther 
back  than  the  fourteenth  century. 

They  are  said  to  be  good  copyists :  all  designs  given  to 
them  for  reproduction  are  copied  very  closeh',  but  in  what  we 
find  on  engraved  stones  there  is  the  cachet  of  their  nationality: 
it  resendjles  nothing  else.  Their  work  is  mostlv  in  very  low 
relief,  save  a  few  specimens  in  Cases  L  L,  M  M,  and  Y  Y  in  my 
collection. 

Their  pictured  stones  generallv  represent  hideous  animals, 
birds,  fruits,  and  views  of  Paradise,  Avith  figures  of  grotesque 
divinities.  Their  inscriptions  are  not  incised,  but  are  usually 
letters  or  characters  in  relief  (see  No.  G4(l,  Case  L  L). 

The  exquisitelv  IxMUtiful  detiiils  often  exhibited  bv  them 
are  surprising-,  especially  A\lien  we  consider  the  hardness  of 
jade,  the  material  principally  employed  by  them.  (8ee  tine 
specimens  in  my  cabinet  of  emerald,   green,  and  black  jade.) 


88 


AZTEC    OE    MEXICAN. 


Amoxg  tlie  existing  relics  of  nations  we  find  no  examples 
of  execution  in  stone-engraving  more  peculiar  than  in  what  is 
preserved  of  the  work  of  the  Aztecs  or  the  ancient  Mexicans, 
especially  that  done  before  the  Conquest.  Its  character  is  so 
ci-ude  and  distinct  that  no  close  observer  can  for  a  moment 
be  mistaken.  I  have  met  with  Aztec  engraved  stones  amono- 
Oriental  gems  also  rude,  yet  there  was  that  style  which 
speaks  to  me  as  a  silent  l)ut  sure  indication  of  a  class  of 
ornamentation  doubtless  worn  by  that  people  whom  Prescott 
and  Kobertson  have  represented  as  decorated  principally  by 
gold,  silver,  and  feather-Avork  (see  No.  G59,  Case  N  N). 

Large  pieces,  cameos  of  two  and  a  half  to  tlu-ee  inches  in 
dimension,  were  Avorn  by  the  Incas  ns  breast-ornaments,  and 
are  always  pierced,  showing  that  they  were  suspended  (see 
Nos.  657  and  659,  Case  N  N). 


89 


I^IGHT    OF    AET. 


The  eras  of  art  in  tlic  liistory  of  nations  have  been  marked 
l)y  the  same  rhanging-  characteristics:  hght  has  invariably  been 
sncceeth'd  Ijy  darkness ;  tliere  are  shadows  ever  following  the 
bright  rays  of  tlie  sun.  This  day  of  imagery  and  sculpture, 
feeble  at  its  dawn,  radiant  in  its  morning,  powerful  in  the 
glory  and  effulgence  of  its  meridian,  faded  as  evening  ad- 
vanced, di-ooped  in  the  twilight,  was  at  last  veiled  in  the 
long  period  of  decadence — the  Middle  Ages,  the  Night  of  Art. 

Throughout  tliis  period  there  was  no  regard  for  the  artistic 
merit  of  the  anticpie  cameos,  and  yet  they  were  highly  valued 
from  the  fact  that  they  ministered  to  the  comfort  of  the 
superstitious. 

These  same  people,  so  credulous  and  so  trusting  in  these 
t(dven-stones,  by  degrees  formed  themselves  into  groui^s,  at 
first  of  two  or  three  with  ties  of  pious  friendship;  subse- 
quently these  associations  gradually  increased  in  the  numbers 
of  their  adherents  until  the  "Towino-  fanatic  idea  of  closino- 
one's  eyes  on  the  sinful  world  was  the  incentive  wliicli  formed 
at  first  asylums,  and  so(tn  after  monasteries :  and  the  monastic 
life  became  popular:  wavering  men,  feeling  themselves  too 
weak  to  face  the  temptations  of  the  world,  resorted  to  these 
holy  retreats  and  there  sought  God.  Few  reasonable  men 
can  be  truly  hajipy  without  occupation,  and,  hapjiilv  for  us, 
these  recluses  saw  the  importance  and  the  historic  interest 
of  engraved  gems:  many  of  them  were  thus  spared  from  loss 
and  destruction. 

90 


NIGHT   OF   ART.  93 

The  numerous  orders  of  monks  during  this  barbarous  epoch 
collected  all  that  possibly  could  be  saved  from  the  destroying 
avalanche,  and  with  great  diligence  transcribed  on  parchment 
types  of  the  existing  literature.  These  bequests  are  interest- 
ing, and  in  many  instances  very  curious  records  of  antique 
lore.  We  are,  however,  best  enabled  to  vie^v  and  conn)are  the 
gems  of  the  Republic  and  the  Empire  in  tlie  precious  stores 
opened  up  to  us  by  the  excavation  of  sepulchres,  vases,  urns, 
etc.  of  those  periods. 

The  laborers  in  the  limited  field  of  nrt  in  tlie  ^Middle  Ages 
were  the  dwellers  in  monasteries.  To  them  we  are  indebted 
for  some  rude  fibres  in  the  fabric  with  which  this  period  of 
darkness  is  canopied ;  they  walked  under  it  in  tlie  simplicity 
of  monastic  life ;  and  to  us  at  least  it  conveys  the  lesson  that 
man  has  forgotten  so  nuu-li,  knows  so  little,  and  has  so  much 

to  learn. 

Their  legacies  are  the  innumerable  church  pictures,  and 
among  other  gifts  the  stiff,  crudely-drawn  illustrations  which 
are  said  to  illuminate  (?)  the  margins  of  their  manuscripts. 

In  carving,  their  subjects  were  generally  of  a  spiritual  and 
devotional  character,  though  some  of  them  relieved  the  tedium 
of  cloister-life  by  creating  in  hasso-rUievo  on  bone  and  ivory 
the  most  ludicrous  and  mirth-provoking  designs. 

The  subjects  of  the  engraved  gems  of  the  eighth,  ninth, 
tenth,  and  eleventh  centuries  are  to  a  great  extent  unmeaning 
figures  and  heads — portraits  of  unknown  personages,  now  and 
then  reproductions  of  ancient  Roman  emperors  and  military 
heroes  of  historic  renown,  yet  poorly  rendered  and  bad  in 
execution. 

There  are  also  manj^  inexplicable  subjects,  portraying 
groups  of  three,  four,  tive,  and  six  figures,  evidently  intended 


94  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

to  commemorate  events  in  history ;  also,  mythological  proces- 
sions, both  in  rude  intaglios  and  equally  mediocre  cameos,  giv- 
ing triumphs  of  Silenus  and  Bacchus,  portraying  these  heroes 
in  forms  the  drawing  of  which  would  raise  blushes  on  their 
cheeks  could  thev  return  to  earth  and  be  allowed  to  criticise 
their  effigies.  Silenus,  even  full  of  wine,  Avould  growl  and 
remonstrate,  pronouncing  some  of  them  absmxl  misrepresenta- 
tions. 

Many  of  those  connnemorating  or  representing  incidents  of 
the  period  coarsely  delineated  are  riddles  seldom  to  be  under- 
stood or  solved.  This  fact,  to  a  true  lover  or  admirer  of  sub- 
ject gems,  is  a  cause  of  dissatisfaction,  wliich,  added  to  their 
miserable  execution,  detracts  from  their  art  value.  I  must, 
however,  confess  they  have  for  me  a  great  interest,  if  only 
on  account  of  their  contrast  with  the  examples  of  Greek  aud 
Roman  glyptic  art. 

There  certainly  were  some  meaning  and  intelligible  repre- 
sentations of  mythical  or  even  actital  events ;  some  love-scenes, 
betrothals,  or  refusals,  and  driving  away  of  the  wooing  hero; 
but  as  these  incidents  or  compositions  have  no  connection  with 
well-known  historical  facts  or  legends,  and  quantities  of  them 
not  even  of  niylliological  personages,  they  remain  enigmas,  and 
under  that  category,  coupled  with  their  poor  execution,  lack 
the  interest  of  those  wonderful  historical  gems  of  the  earlier 
and  purer  ghptic  school — three  centuries  b.  v.  nnd  three  cen- 
turies A.  D. 

In  this  epoch,  again,  we  find  instances  of  the  sensitiveness 
of  the  numismatic  branch  of  the  art  of  gem-engra-vnng,  for  the 
models  of  all  pieces  of  money  are  intaglios,  and  thus  far  they 
are  related  to  the  glyptic  art;  and  it  has  always  been  the  first 
industry  giving  evidence  of  a  decline.      Reference  to  a  few 


NIGHT   OF   ABT.  95 

examples   in  the  money  of  these   centuries   will   sustain   my 
assertion. 

See  the  gold  coins  of  King  Sigibertus  II.,  struck  at  ancient 
Marseilles — a  sol  d'or  of  the  seventh  centm-y ; 

The  srold  coins  of  Childericus  II.,  sti'uck  also  at  ancient 
3Iarseilles — a  sol  d'or  of  the  seventh  century ; 

The  gold  coins  of  Justinian  II.,  Avith  the  portrait  of  the 
emperor  standing,  holding  a  cross,  and  on  the  reverse  his 
bust,  holding  a  globe  surmounted  by  a  cross — a  sol  d'or  of 
the  eighth  century ; 

The  gold  (alloyed)  coins  known  as  friois,  struck  at  the 
ancient  city  of  Banuasac  in  tlie  centre  of  France,  ^\hh  por- 
ti'ait  of  a  sovereign,  and  on  the  reverse  a  chalice  of  the  eighth 
centm-y ; 

The  gold  coins  of  Louis  le  Deboxnaire,  son  of  Charle- 
magne, with  the  legend  mvnvs  divinvm — a  sol  d'or  of  the  ninth 
century ; 

The  srold  coins  of  Grimoald  de  Bexevext,  with  the  name 
of  Charlemagne  and  doms  car  r"" — a  sol  d'or  of  the  ninth 
century ; 

See  the  coin  known  as  the  foUis,  of  Constaktine  X.  PoR- 
phyrogJ:xJ;te,  in  bronze,  of  the  tenth  century ; 

The  deniers,  in  silver,  of  Pope  John  IX.,  Avith  the  effigy 
of  St.  Peter,  S.  Petrus — tenth  century; 

The  gold  coins,  concave,  of  Alexis  I.  Comxexe,  with  ef- 
fio-ies  of  Christ  seated,  and  reverse  bust — a  sol  d'or  of  the 
eleventh  century ; 

And  the  barbarously-designed  coin  (in  base  metal)  struck 
at  Laon,  France,  of  Philippe  Auguste,  king  of  France,  with 
his  poi-ti-ait  and  that  of  the  archbishop  of  Laon — eleventh  cen- 
turA' : 


96  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

All  these  and  many  others  are  fair  examples  of  the  engraA^- 
ing  of  the  epoch. 

We  are  amused  and  mstructed  in  viewing  the  pictorial 
records  of  these  centm-ies :  we  nuist  censure  the  self-aggran- 
dizement and  jealous  care  which  in  those  days  hung  as  a  veil 
between  man  and  the  free  pursuit  of  learning  and  the  know- 
ledge of  the  beautiful.  The  rest  of  the  i)opulation  were  occu- 
pied in  the  cultivation  of  the  ground  or  in  the  profes.sion  of 
arms,  giving  to  such  occupations  more  attention  than  to  edu- 
cation, literature,  art,  or  science. 

The  foregoing  view  of  these  art-bequests  is  given  prin- 
cipally in  connection  with  the  qualities,  exemplified  by  the 
gem-engraving  of  the  epoch.  The  major  portion  of  the  col- 
ored illuminated  manuscripts  of  the  eighth,  ninth,  tenth,  and 
eleventh  centuries  is  referred  to  as  corresponding  most  exactly 
wath  the  rude  glyptic  productions  of  the  same  pei-iod ;  and  it 
is  to  be  imderstood  that  what  is  crude  I  attribute  to  the 
monastic  pencils. 

Italy  was  the  cradle  of  the  art  of  illumination  on  missals 
and  manuscripts,  but  its  force  and  perfection  were  developed 
later  in  France  and  Flanders.  Spain  has  produced  the  most 
mediocre  examples ;  those  of  Germany  do  not  concern  us  at 
this  moment. 

In  the  missals  from  the  eighth  to  the  eleventh  century, 
inclusive  (see  examples  in  the  museum  at  Laon,  France,  and 
ill  the  Bibliotheque  Rationale,  Paris),  we  find  the  rude, 
crudely  drawn  colored  illuminations  alluded  to.  The  more 
prominent  subjects  are  Adam  and  Eve  in  the  garden  of  Para- 
dise, and,  for  variety,  in  difterent  scenes  in  the  garden,  smelling 
and  culling  the  flowers:  walking  with  their  Divine  Creator;  the 


NIGHT   OF   ART.  97 

Serpent  in  the  tree.  Eve  oflfers  tlie  apple  to  Adam ;  Adam 
accepts  and  partakes  of  the  forbidden  fruit ;  an  angel  banishes 
them  from  the  garden ;  and  so  on  throughont  the  whole  gene- 
alogy as  recited  in  Holy  Writ,  these  characters  having  as  ad- 
juncts in  ornamentation  ([ueer  fishes,  chimeras,  and  other 
strange  animals,  butterflies,  serpents,  lions,  birds,  insects,  and 
flowers  unknoAvn  to  botanists  of  our  day. 

These  stift",  crudely-drawn  colored  illuminations,  executed 
in  monasteries,  I  have  represented  in  my  picture  and  employed 
as  a  cloud,  my  object  being  that  they  may  serve  as  a  foil,  a 
contrasting  mass  of  shadow,  on  Avhicli  should  shine  out  more 
brilliantly  the  early  Greek  and  Roman  glyptic  art,  and  again 
as  a  background  before  which  should  sparkle  the  succeeding 
and  greater  refinement  of  those  productions  pencilled,  painted, 
or  engraved  for  us  by  our  more  immediate  ancestors  of  the 
Renaissance  School. 

These  rude  illuminations  on  the  margins  of  the  manuscripts 
of  these  monastic  contributors  Avere  in  keeping  with  the  gem- 
engraving  of  that  i)eriod,  the  eighth  to  the  eleventh  centuries, 
which  I  have  denoted  as  the  Night  of  Art. 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  there  were  bright  intervals  in  that 
era  of  comparative  art-darkness,  and  in  the  U\o  or  three  suc- 
ceeding centuries,  when  men,  mi  trammelled  b}'  the  bonds  of 
monasticism,  produced  superior  work.  At  eventide  of  many 
days  of  labor  the  under  sides  of  the  cloud  had  golden  linings 
and  silver  edges. 

The  pencils  that  produced  these  finer  eff'ects,  those  jewels 
of  the  twilight,  were  guided  by  freemen,  who,  though  living 
among  the  sleeping,  were  so  imbued  with  religioiis  art  that 
their  works  pictured  a  glow  of  light  whose  genial  rays  are 
to-day  still  reflected  on  truly  appreciative  minds. 

7 


98  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

I  recognize  the  greater  illuminators  of  monastic  manuscripts 
as  the  exceptional  lights  of  that  period,  who  wove  some  bright 
threads  into  the  art-web  that  has  been  preserved  for  us,  and 
which  to-day  illumines  in  a  measure  the  history  of  an  epoch 
that  was  so  cold  and  mediocre  in  gem-engraving. 

So  much  were  some  of  the  cloistered  illuminators  infatu- 
ated with  their  art-occupation  that  it  was  enthroned  in  their 
thoughts  even  during  their  limited  hours  of  re})Ose,  when 
visions  furnished  them  with  the  hajipiest  types  wliicli  adorned 
the  work  of  the  succeeding  day.  They  knew  nt»t  Eve,  nor 
did  they  hold  converse  with  her  daughters;  they  had  no  living 
models  for  Mar}^,  Sarah,  Hagar,  or  Rebecca.  Although  they 
were  the  predecessors  of  Fra  Angelica,  they,  like  him,  had 
"manifestations"  of  what  they  knew  not  in  their  monastic  life 
— di'eams  of  angelic  faces  and  of  forms  endowed  with  holy 
countenances — which  on  their  awakening  they  so  marvellously 
depicted  on  panel  or  on  jiarchment. 

As  a  rule,  a\  hen  an  illuminated  mamiscript  presents  itself 
possessing  suj)erior  art-cpialitie.s,  connoisseurs  easily  recognize 
that  it  is  of  a  later  period,  and  tluit  it  was  made  by  an  artist 
unshackled,  living  at  large  in  the  busy  worhl,  having  models 
everywhere  around  him  ;  not  by  an  anchorite  or  a  monk:  these 
latter  seldom  signed  their  works,  and  are  therefore  not  indi- 
vidually known  to  us. 

Of  the  later  and  more  truly  artistic  illuminated  MSS.  we 
have  bright  exann)les  in  the  Avorks  of  ]\Iemling  of  Bruges, 
who  in  1490  painted  a  missal  for  Pope  Alexander  \\.  which 
is  exquisitely  drawn  and  colored,  and  in  whicli  is  to  be  found 
the  Pentecost,  with  eleven  lovely-faced  figures  in  varied  cos- 
tumes ;  the  Crucitixion,  seven  or  eight  figui'es ;  Saint  Veronica, 
holding  the  cloth  bearing  the  imprint  of  our  Saviour's  face ; 


NIGHT   OF  ART. 


99 


and  the  breviary  of  Cardinal  Griniani,  a  marvellons  production 
now  at  Venice. 

The  vieAv  of  these  relics  of  cloister  art  convinces  iis  that 
they  of  the  Dark  Ages  did  not  contribute  the  truly  beautiful. 
Yet  shadows  pass  with  "  time  and  the  hour." — Nig-lit  is  passing 
— comes  the  g-rav — comes  the  dawn — comes  the  morning-  lio-ht. 
Creatures  that  at  evening  ceased  their  song,  tune  now  their 
pipes  and  sing  again ;  thev  chant  anon  the  requiem  of  the 
Xight  of  Art :  and  A'et  anon  tliev  sing  the  coming  of  the 
light.  They  celebrate  at  last,  with  hope,  the  renewing  of  all 
things  beautiful  in  art.  ********* 
*  *  *  *  The  orb  of  day  gilds  the  horizon ;  man  be- 
holds the  aurora  of  the  approaching  day. 


THE    RENAISSANCE. 


As  a  child  becomes  restless  with  the  consciousness  of  com- 
ing day  before  it  full}'  awakes  from  sleep,  man,  Aveary  of  this 
nio-ht  of  io-norance  and  the  atmosphere  of  barbarism,  fretful 
on  his  couch  under  the  yoke  of  tyranny,  striving  to  shake 
it  otf  while  yet  enveloped  by  the  shades  of  error,  rose  up 
to  seek  an  element  he  knew  not,  a  light  he  di-eamed  would 
come. 

He  burst  tlie  cords  that  bound  his  strength;  he  pierced 
the  clouds  Avhich  dulled  his  vision,  and,  leaving  his  prison- 
house,  reached  forth  his  fearless  arm,  and,  })ushing  aside  the 
sombre  folds  of  the  long  inten-ening  veil,  peered  into  the 
outer  world  of  progress,  and  in  the  gray  gloom  he  descried 
a  distant  terrace.  With  rapid  strides,  through  fuiTOws  of 
popular  prejudice  and  cinders  of  past  magnificence,  over 
crumbled  arch  and  fallen  pillar,  frieze,  and  pediment,  he  sped 
his  wav,  nor  flag-o-ed  nor  halted  till,  the  summit  reached,  he 
stood  and  gazed  with  earnest  look  out  into  the  coming  time ; 
he  beheld  in  the  vista  before  him  many  streams  flowing  into 
the  sea  of  the  future.  In  the  horizon  gleamed  again  the  omen 
of  coming  day;  it  was  the  harbinger  of  a  new  birtli. 

The  light  of  tnitli  flasheil  upon  his  mind,  discovering  to 
him  his  freed  intellect :  unlike  the  denizens  of  the  earlier  age 
of  luxury  and  repletion,  he  stood  a  thinking  man,  refreshed, 
invigorated,  and  ready  for  work ;  and  quickly  he  applied  him- 
self; called  forth  his  kinsmen;  his  voice  was  heard  throughout 
the  land ;  men  awoke  everywhere  and  wrought  in  the  ateliers 

100 


JJ.VN.-*^'^^ 


THE    KENAISSANCE. 


THE   BENAISSANCE.  lOH 

of  tlie  new  life.  Through  tlie  air  eanie  strains  as  of  niusir 
from  creaking  of  timber,  cracking  of  stone,  the  carol  of  the 
painter,  hammer  and  anvil, —  plashing  oar,  Avheel  and  shaft, 
mallet  and  chisel — the  ordtorlo  of  the  Renaissance. 

With  this  aAvakening  came  another  influx  of  skilled  artisans 
intii  Itah',  not  to  compete,  as  before,  in  the  great  established 
art-market  of  the  world :  now  they  came  in  response  to  appeals 
for  master-workmen — came  to  instruct,  to  encourage  the  new 
Ijirth,  to  lead  the  drowsy  ones  out  into  the  full  light  of  day — 
the  day  of  a  rising  constellation  in  which  once  more  shone 
brilliantly  a  meritorious  school  of  gem-engravers. 


Though  Germany,  France,  and  other  nations  shared  in  the 
work,  Italy  guarded  the  cradle  of  the  Renaissance,  and  as  a 
faitliful,  loving  parent  watched  the  developing  features  of  the 
youth,  which  grew  apace,  reading  there  the  promise  of  a  groov- 
ing power  that  was  destined  to  lead  future  generations  to  excel- 
lence and  prosperity. 

She  reared  the  budding  plants,  sai)lings  of  the  grove 
whose  branches  were  to  yield  refreshing  fruits  to  all  who 
asked,  whose  timber  was  to  give  keel,  hull,  sjjars,  and  masts 
to  commerce:  thence  came  the  little  crafts  that  crossed  the 
unknown  deep  and  spied  our  Western  shores. 

Italy  accomplished  the  first  great  work  of  this  period  l)y 
furnishino-  models  for  l)Oth  industrial  and  fine  arts,  infusing 
vitality  into  other  nations.  The  influential  families  of  the 
Medici  and  Farnese,  Popes  Leo  X.  and  Paul  III.,  many  car- 
dinals and  nobles,  were  instrumental  in  the  revival  of  gem- 
encravino- ;  especially  Lorenzo  d']\Iedici  contributed  to  its  re- 
development and  growth  by  inducing  artists  to  devote  them- 


104  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

selves  to  its  practice  and  bestowing  on  them  his  Hberal 
patronage. 

The  vigorons  manner  of  artists  of  this  period  is  so  marked 
that  even  in  the  repro(hicti()U  of  anticpTe  (k-signs  a  connoisseur 
can  recognize  their  pecuhar  style.  Their  original  w<irks  are 
highly  meritorii)us,  attaining  a  great  degree  of  excellence. 
Many  rose  to  eminence ;  some,  not  content  with  rising  in  the 
firmament  of  the  dawning  effulgence,  aspired  to  positions  in 
the  bright  constellation  of  tame. 

Examjdes  equalling  the  finest  productions  of  the  earlier 
Roman  epoch  can  be  ^-iewed  in  the  Uffizi  Grallery  at  Floi-ence. 

Engraved  gems  were  again  applied  l)y  the  wealthy  in  the 
embellishment  of  costumes,  armor,  military  etpiipments,  inlay- 
ing and  embossing  of  ^-ases,  drinking-cups,  tankards,  etc.  The 
multiplicitv  of  gems  needed  to  meet  these  demands  produced 
a  scarcitv  in  the  supply  of  lieautiful  India  stones,  and  led  to 
the  vise  of  the  conch,  wliich  also  presented  several  strata  in 
different  colors,  but  which,  as  the  material  is  tender,  easily  cut, 
and  subject  to  in)ur\'  from  abrasion,  never  acquired  the  same 
intrinsic  value.  Some  of  these  are  very  curious,  rendering 
effective  portraits  of  Oriental  complexion,  aged  heads,  white  eye- 
brows, and  flowing  beards.     (See  Nos.  824  and  S42,  Case  Z  Z.) 


SUCCEEDING    CENTUEIES. 


Thus  constant  oncouvagenient  was  given  to  tliis  In-ani-h 
of  art-industry  throughout  the  fifteenth  and  part  ()f  the  six- 
teenth century;  but  after  the  death  of  tlie  Emperor  Charles 
v.,  in  looS,  recurred  another  period  of  decline.  Private  and 
royal  accumulations  of  art-works  were  again  the  victims  ot 
depredation ;  cabinets  and  museums  were  pillaged  and  scat- 
tered bv  military  marauders  as  one  after  another  the  great 
cities  of  the  continent  of  Europe  were  besieged  and  conquered. 

The  glyptic  of  all  the  arts  was  the  most  easily  atlected  by 
the  changing  fortunes  of  nations. 

These  circumstances  compelled  artists  to  give  their  attention 
more  particularly  to  church  architecture,  to  the  jiroduction  of 
large  devotional  Ijasso-rilievos  for  the  altar,  and  sculptm-ed 
figures,  which,  though  rej^resenting  sacred  subjects,  were  often 
too  voluptuous  in  form  and  lacking  the  essential  (qualities  ot 

true  art. 

In  the  eighteenth  century  gem-engraving  received  fresh 
impetus ;  new  practitioners  Avere  enrolled  from  CTcrmany,  Eng- 
land, and  France. 

Some  of  these  resided  many  j-ears  in  England,  pursuing 
their  profession  assiduously  and  profitably.  In  this  period 
quantities  of  intaglios  and  cameos  were  reproduced  from  the 
most  salable  antique  subjects.  To  supply  the  wants  of  enthusi- 
astic amateurs  frauds  were  freely  committed  by  close  imitation 
and  the  insertion  of  signatures  of  celebrated  Greek  and  Roman 

106 


106  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

engravers,  tliougli  the  age  produced  artists  of  the  highest  abihty 
and  lionor. 

The  works  of  Natter,  Guar,  Sirk-tti,  I'iclder,  SantarelH, 
and  others  conic  to  us  so  directly  from  their  liands  that  we 
feel  they  almost  belong  to  our  day,  and  we  think  of  them  as 
of  acquaintances. 

These  artists,  ^\  itli  others  of  their  time,  have  already  been 
noticed,  comparing  their  work  with  that  of  the  ancient 
Greeks  {q.  v.). 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century  and  the 
commencement  of  tlu^  nineteenth,  monarchs  and  noblemen  in- 
dulged in  making  collections  of  gems  to  such  an  extent  that 
the  list  of  patrons  increased  competition,  and  fabulous  prices 
wei-e  obtained  from  such  buyers  as  the  Empress  Catherine  II.  of 
Russia,  the  Prince  Frederick  of  Prussia,  the  Duke  of  Orleans, 
George  III.,  the  Empress  Josephine  of  France,  and  many  of 
the  English  nobility,  among  others  the  Dukes  of  Devonshire 
and  Marlborough. 


EETEOSPEOTIYE. 


To-day  we  have  much  to  enjoy  as  we  sitrvey  the  gems  of 
the  various  epochs.  The  multifarious  types  that  have  been 
o-athei-ed  in  thirtv  centuries  meet  our  view,  grouped  in  the 
tableau  of  engraved  gems. 

Our  attention  is  drawn,  with  interest,  to  each  sentiment 
expressed,  feature  defined,  or  emotion  portrayed.  We  study 
the  diversified  qualities — the  fineness  or  freedom  of  touch, 
ingenious  eflects,  delicate  lines,  choice  attitudes,  gi-aceful 
forms,  force,  spirit,  and  tenderness — which  characterize  these 
monuments  of  patience. 

Let  us  partake  of  the  glyptic  banquet  before  us.  The 
feast  charms  the  eye  and  is  food  for  much  intellectual  enjoy- 
ment. How  daintily  the  repast  is  spread!  Tables  from  the 
Acropolis;  ti'enchers  of  chalcedony;  vessels  of  agate  and  jasper; 
covers  of  turquoise ;  cups  of  carnelian,  rich  in  colors,  Avrouglit 
from  nature's  treasury  of  stone;  fiiiits  unblemished  through 
cycles    of   frost;    fiowers    udorless,   yet   choice    as  when   they 

107 


108  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

decked  Zeiiobia's  l)r(»w ;  drapery  of  every  hue,  plebeian, 
sacerdotal,  imperial ;  grapes  of  garnet  and  amethj^st ;  apples 
of  onyx,  the  scion  of  a  brook-/  lim])id  topaz;  the  day-thit  of 
the  zenith  nestling  in  the  bosom  of  the  sapphire ;  nectar  in 
crystal  of  l)crvl;  perennial  verdure  living- in  emerald;  chryso- 
lite, entire  and  perfect,  fit  to  make  another  world ;  -  the  hue 
of  wine  dropping  from  jacinth;  the  dove's  life-current  mirrored 
in  ruby — an  entertainment  regaling  the  most  refined  tastes  with 
viands  beautiful  and  enduring. 


The  engraved  gems  rescued  from  the  torrent,  ebbing  and 
flowing  with  the  fluctuating  fortunes  of  ages,  garnered  by  suc- 
cessive generations,  enrich  the  traditional  viaduct  traversing 
the  morass  of  man\'  centuries.  Some  Ijlocks  are  less  beautiful 
tlian  others  in  the  structure,  1)ut  on  them  we  have  founded 
our  first  footholds,  and  from  them  we  mount  to  the  work  that 
embellishes  the  great  Etruscan  arches.  P^ven  when  we  revel 
on  the  finely-pencilled  coping-stones  of  the  Greek  and  Roman 
e])ochs,  or  admire  the  ornate  abutments  of  the  Renaissance,  we 
should  revert  with  pleasure  to  the  earlier,  riuler  contributions 
in  the  foundations,  and  we  can  find  pleasure  in  viewing  and 
studying  every  part. 

'  Many  of  the  finer  stones  adapted  to  gem-engraving  have  been  broken  away  from  tlieir 
rocky  beds  and  bronght  down  Ijy  moinitain  streams  iintil,  rolled  and  washed  in  brocks,  they 
appear  as  pebbles.  In  most  Enropean  gem-catalognes  a  large  projiortion  of  the  stones  are 
noted  as  being  cut  from  BRECflA  or  pebbles. 

'  Othdlo,  Act  v.,  Scene  2:  'If  Heaven  would  make  me  snoli  another  world  of  one  entire 
and  perfect  clirysolite,  I'd  not  have  sold  her  for  it."  The  chrysolite,  or  peridot,  is  seldom 
cut  as  a  gem,  being  softer  than  chrysoberyl,  but  I  have  seen  it  in  Italy.  Some  years  ago, 
when  making  researches  on  tliis  subject  in  the  BibliothequeNationale  at  Paris,  I  met  with 
a  paper  on  gem-stones  liy  Kobert  Dingley,  Esq.,  in  Phil.  Trciitttuclions,  1747,  in  which  he 
also  mentions  the  chry.solite  having  been  used  for  gem-engraving. 


RETROSPECTIVE. 


100 


The  builder's  stones  are  graven  ;  the  footway  is  of  pictured 
pebbles,  miniatures,  amulets,  and  seals,  reflecting  lineaments 
and  traces  of  the  history  of  entombed  generations.  Their 
inscriptions  reveal  to  us  the  impress  of  ancient,  mediaeval, 
and  modern  art. 


EELIGION    ON    STOK^ES. 


We  have  found  here  unquestionably  information  not  to  be 
obtained  from  any  other  source.  If  ancient  engraved  stones 
had  never  been  unearthed  or  found,  we  would  have  been 
ignorant  to-day  of  much  that  is  interesting  and  important 
concerning  the  historic  chain  which  now  connects  lis  with 
the  traditions  of  men  in  the  incipiency  of  art  thousands  of 
years  before  the  era  of  manuscripts. 

"We  hold  and  esteem  the  Holy  Bible  not  only  as  our  guide 
and  as  the  book  of  God's  laws,  but  also  as  one  of  the  most  per- 
fect compends  of  the  history  of  the  world  from  all  known  time. 
The  earliest  mention  of  the  profession  oi'  gem-cutting  is  in 
the  thirty -first  chapter  of  Exodus,  from  the  first  to  the  fifth 
verse,  inclusive : 

"And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying,  See,  I  have  called 
hv  name  Bezaleel  the  son  of  Uri,  the  son  of  Hur,  of  the  tribe 
of  Judah :  an<l  I  have  filled  him  with  the  spirit  of  God,  in 
wisdom,  and  in  understanding,  and  in  knowledge,  and  in  all 
manner  of  workmanship,  to  devise  i-unning  works,  to  work 
in  gold,  and  in  silver,  and  in  brass,  and  in  cutting  of  stones, 
to  set  them,"  etc.,  "and  to  work  in  all  manner  of  workman- 
ship." This  commission  was  for  the  Jews  to  adorn  the  ark 
of  the  testimony  and  to  attach  to  tlie  Esod  a  part  of  the 
vestiture  of  the  gr;ui<l  sacerdotal  of  the  Israelites.  Our  ob- 
servation of  this  branch  of  art  has  been  strictly  in  accordance 
with  my  title. 

We  have  regarded  almost  solely  all  these  beautiful  stones 


no 


RELIGION    ON   STONES.  Ill 

in  the  liglit  of  art,  ^^itli  a  view  of  considering  their  compai'ative 
art-merits ;  yet  I  have  always  seen  in  tlieir  history  another  and 
somewhat  important  phase,  at  least  to  me  an  interesting  one : 
that  is,  their  connection  with  the  traditions,  legends,  and  annals 
of  religion.  We  find  on  them  tenets  of  paganism,  mysticism, 
mythology,  and  the  Cln-istian  religion — symbols,  dogmas,  and 
pictnred  revelations  of  creeds  of  many  nations  and  of  people 
almost  otherwise  unknown — what  may  indeed  be  classified  as 
religious  stone-literature. 

Skilful  utilization  of  the  colored  strata  and  maculation  of 
onyxes  and  agates  depict  fire  and  water  as  objects  of  adora- 
tion ;  altars  rendered  sacred  by  their  inscriptions,  each  with 
its  patron  god  upon  it  i»r  hovering  near;  characters  there 
inscribed  telling  to  whose  service  they  were  dedicated — now 
to  a  supreme  being  beloved,  though  aliseut;  again,  to  a  deity 
adored,  though  unseen. 

Every  tribe  seems  to  have  had  a  Father  above,  though 
we  do  not  meet  with  the  vague  superscription,  "  To  the  un- 
known God." 

Uu  every  side  objects  of  A'eneration :  the  heavens;  in- 
numerable mention  of  deities  dwelling  therein ;  plenteous 
aspirations  and  ajjpeals  to  their  clemency,  forbearance,  and 
protection. 

These  talismanic  gems,  whenever  they  are  religiously  in- 
scribed, I  treasure  as  tablets  of  faith — a  faith  which,  though 
often  erroneously  placed,  was  fervent  and  abiding  as  it  was 
indelibh'  registered. 

Eambling  in  many  strange  countries,  seeing  palaces,  cos- 
tumes, men,  and  manners,  this  subject,  paramount  to  them 
all,  has  often  received  my  attention — a  theme  the  most  pre- 
cious to  the  scattered  races  of  the  human  family,  their  religion. 


112  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

It  is   worthy   of  remark    that    so    large   a   projiortion   of   the 
intaghos  and  seals  were  of  a  religious  character. 

The  ancient  residents  near  tlie  sea  and  on  all  the  frontier 
of  Asia  Minor  had  tlieir  relio-ious  token-g-ems. 

Remarks  have  often  been  made  by  Christians  in  my  hear- 
ing, inferring  that  it  was  surprising  men  could  have  believed 
in  these  gods  or  in  such  theories  and  dogmas,  and  expressing 
astonishment  that  they  could  have  trusted  in  these  talismans 
or  hoped  for  l)enetits  from  them.  Many  sneer  at  the  absurd 
codes  of  mythological  religion :  yes,  let  us  call  it  so :  that  is 
what  it  was  for  these  people ;  they  knew  not  our  God,  had 
never  heard  of  (nu-  divine  Master. 

Until  the  revelation  of  Christ  to  us,  man  naturally  had  to 
Iciok  sonu'wliere  for  refuge  for  his  soul;  he  had  to  clino-  to 
some  imseen  hand,   lest  he  should  fall. 

Did  it  ever  occm-  to  you  luiw  modem  Christianity  is? 
These  pagans,  of  whose  religions  we  have  so  many  little 
stone  monuments,  were  all  anterior  to  that  revelation. 

Christians  of  to-day,  reflect :  all  these  heathen,  as  you  no 
doubt  esteem  them,  ^^ere  earnest  in  the  j)erfonnance  of  their 
duties,  their  prayers,  their  adoration,  and  their  sacrifices — 
many  of  them  more  devout  than  some  of  us  under  the  liolit 
of  the  nineteenth  century. 

True,  these  religions  were  the  inventions  of  men,  tlie  out- 
come of  tlu'  longings  and  Aearnings  of  sympathetic  men  for 
a  superior  guiding  and  jn-otecting  power — Deity,  if  you  will 
allow  it — to  which  to  turn  and  in   which  to  hope. 

They  worshipped  faithfully,  adored  sincerely,  obeyed  im- 
plicitly, lived  simple  lives  in  keejjing  with  their  primitive 
faith.  Was  it  not  reasonable,  this  worship  of  a  people  Avho 
had  no  divine  revelation  ?     Was  it  not  beautiful  I     Can  you 


RELIGION    ON  STONES.  113 

not  even  now  see  something-  to  adniii-e  in  devotional  exercises 
held  in  God's  open  air,  turning-  in  adoration  myriads  of 
earnest  eyes  upon  the  iSan,  "the  beauty  and  the  glory  of  the 
da}',"  devoutly  praising  from  the  heart  the  majesty  and  jjower 
of  the  Supreme  Being,  the  Maker  and  the  Ruler  of  this  benign 
lights  Their  principal  fete,  on  whieh  they  all  assembled  joy- 
fullv  and  gratefully  to  bow  before  the  glorious  orb,  was  on 
the  same  day  ^^•('  lune  accepted  as  the  anniversary  of  the 
birth  of  Christ  our  Redeemer. 

And  so  it  was  with  those  who  venerated  and  carried 
engraved  euiblems  of  those  incouiprehensible  elements,  Fire 
and  Water. 

As  symbolic  of  the  inscrutable  j)owcr  the  Parsees  keep  a 
flauie  constantly  burning-  njion  an  altar  iu  the  inner  temple ; 
so  sacred  is  it  that  only  the  higher  jiriests  set  apart  for  that 
service  can  enter  therein ;  yet  through  their  mediation  thou- 
sands participate  in  the  ceremony  and  enjoy  the  consolations 
of  its  power — a  Ibrce  of  terriljle  destructibility,  yet  with  the 
genial  phase  ^^■hich  couiforts  and  contributes  to  the  nourish- 
ment of  man.  This  form  of  worship  originated  in  Persia, 
and  when  its  disciples  emigrated  and  distributed  themselves 
throughout  many  countries  and  islands  of  India  and  the 
shores  of  the  neighboring  seas,  th<'\'  carefully  carried  the 
sacred  fire  with  tlieni ;  and  it  Is  believed  it  has  never  ceased 
to   burn   during   many   centuries. 

Even  to  this  day  many  of  these  ol)jects  in  stone  are  treas- 

lU'ed  and  valued  bv  men  and  women  in  secluded  villages  in 

the  East;   they  hold  and  guiu-d  them  as  religious  heirlooms.     I 

have  bartered  with  them  siiccessfully,  and  have  bought  their 

bracelets,  iinger-rings,  and  nose-rings;  yet  so  highly  have  these 

sacred    talismans    been    esteemed    that    those    Avliich    I    most 
s 


114  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

desired    have    rarely   and    only  with   difficulty  been  obtained 
from  their  superstitiovis  possessors. 

In  the  two  or  three  centuries  succeeding  the  advent  of 
Christ  the  Abraxas  flourished  and  engraved  the  mass  of 
religious  mystic  talismans  (ah'eady  described  in  their  place 
in  this  book).  Their  priests  or  pastors,  in  the  term  accepted 
bv  us,  prepared  these  amulets,  engraving  upon  them  attributes 
and  svmbols  of  the  ]\Iost  High ;  they  taught  their  followers 
to  wear  them  close  to  their  hearts,  these  reminders  of  their 
heavenly  Father,  these  rude  glyptic  lights  that  kept  them 
nearer  to  God.  I  do  not,  cannot,  find  it  absurd.  When  you 
have  considered  this  subject  as  no^v  presented,  you  will  per- 
haps view  with  new  interest  these  devotional  tokens,  after 
many  years  of  travel  and  research  brought  together  and 
classified  in  my  cabinet. 


AXIMALS    AND    BIRDS. 


We  have  seen  liow  laro-e  a  proportion  of  the  subjects  on 
ancient  gems  were  nivthologieal,  how  extended  was  the  cLiss 
of  rehgious  and  of  Christian  subjects ;  we  have  noted  the 
loved  i)ortraits  of  sovereigns,  statesmen,  philosophers,  physi- 
cians, and  poets. 

There  remains  a  series  worthy  of  notice — those  intaglios 
and  cameos  worn  as  amulets  on  which  Avere  engraved  innum- 
erable animals,  birds,  fishes,  and  even  insects. 

As  the  families  of  the  nobility  chose  the  insignia  which 
entered  into  the  cpiarterings  of  their  escutcheons,  so  the  an- 
cients according  to  their  superstitions  or  their  tastes  chose 
some  pati-on  animal  or  liird  for  an  emblem  and  caused  it  to 
be  eno-raved  on  their  talisiuaiis:  and  these  symbols  were  cher- 
ished Avith  what  might  almost  be  termed  religious  fervency. 

They  were  used  as  amulets,  protecting  the  wearers  against 
accident  and  repelling  danger.  There  Avas  almost  a  pharma- 
copoeia of  gems,  Avith  solace  for  every  trouble  of  mind  and  a 
remedy  for  every  disease. 

A  dolphin,  the  mariner's  friend,  on  sard  or  carnelian,  was 
an   emblem  Avoru  Ija'  fishermen   and  protected  them  from  the 


llo 


116  ENGRAVED    GEMS. 

attacks  of  sharks  or  other  voracious  fishes.  They  also  carried 
with  equal  reliance  the  same  design  in  antique  paste.  (See 
No.  1232,  Case  XXX.) 

The  eagle  of  Jupiter  is  symbolic  of  his  power,  although 
it  was  subservient  to  him.  This  no  doubt  accounts  for  its 
appropriation  in  heraldry  by  so^•ereigns  from  all  times. 

The  raven,  tlie  friend  of  Apollo ;  the  parrot,  a  loquacious 
inebriate,  is  often  an  attendant  on  Bacchus. 

The  aringa,  a  tish  of  the  Adriatic  Sea,  represented  on  the 
talisman  No.  128,  Case  H,  was  worn  by  women  on  account 
of  its  being  the  symbol  of  fruitfulness ;  it  deposits  many  thou- 
sand esgs  each  "S'ear. 

Certain  insects,  arachnids,  and  reptiles  were  enq^loyed  as 
symbols,  because  they  were  supposed  to  protect  man  in  each 
case  from  the  enemv  thereon  delineated. 

A  scorpion  on  a  transparent  stone  was  an  amulet  against 
the  sting  of  the  arachnid. 

As  the  scorpion  inflicts  a  painful  sting,  the  spider  a  venom- 
ous bite,  and  a  varietv  of  flies  make  dang-erous  ao-o-ression  on 
the  human  form,  their  images  engraved  on  stones  were  believed 
to  shield  the  wearer  from  the  ills  due  to  attacks  from  corre- 
sponding insects. 

One  of  the  most  minute  insects  employed  as  a  talisman  is 
the  ant,   symbolic  of  industrv. 

The  peacock  frequentlv  appears  on  gems;  naturallv,  no 
one  would  have  had  it  as  an  emblem  of  vanitv,  in  which  sense 
it  is  generally  accepted  in  modern  times,  Init  it  was  revered  as 
the  ftworite  of  Juno. 

Tlie  owl :  ^Minerva's  head  is  at  times  draped  with  an  owl ; 
its  t-onnection  with  ]\Iinerva  is  that  it  is  symbolic  of  profound 
meditation.     (See  No.  698,  Case  Q  Q.) 


AXLMALS   AXD    BIBDS.  117 

Tlie  beautiful  storks  occur  frequently  on  engraved  gems : 
they  were  so  abundant  in  Asia  Minor  and  in  the  l.vzantine 
Emj/n-e  that  husbandmen  sought  to  frighten  them  away;  j^et 
in  otlier  lands  tliey  were  almost  adored.  In  modern  Fiinen, 
and  generally  in  Scandinavia,  storks  building  their  nests  on 
the  roofs  of  houses  in  the  countrv  are  welcomed  as  brins'ing' 
children  for  the  household,  and  are  cared  for  with  a  credulity 
ec|ualling  pagan  superstition. 

Prof  C.  W.  King,  in  his  Ai/tiqitr  Geni.'^,  savs  that  the  frog 
found  a  jdace  in  Christian  synd)olism  as  the  most  expressive 
image  of  the  resuirection  of  the  body,  because  frogs,  like  the 
serpents  after  their  winter  interment,  emerge  from  their  hid- 
ing-places and  renew  their  youth  l)y  casting  their  slough. 

Many  fariu-  and  house-companions  figure  in  the  series :  a 
clog,  fidelity :  a  cock,  A-igilance :  a  turtle,  alwavs  at  home ;  a 
snail,  there  is  no  hurry;  a  sheep,  humilitv;  a  lamb,  innocence; 
a  horse,  patience  and  endurance ;  a  dove,  harmless,  the  Holy 
Spirit :  a  lion,  majesty  and  force ;  a  serpent,  wisdom,  and,  with 
its  tail  in  mouth,  eternity:  a  serpent  was  dften  represented  on 
the  stone  above  the  fireplace  in  Roman  kitchens ;  a  ram  was 
significant  of  tlie  Xundine  sacrifices  made  weekh"  to  Jupiter; 
a  lion  and  a  goat  driven  by  Cupid,  the  ])ower  of  love :  he 
guides  not  oidy  the  lascividus,  Init  the  strong.  (See  No.  290, 
Case  R.) 


HISTOEIC    CAMEOS. 


A  LARGE  class  of  ancieiit  gems  were  historical ;  fine  exam- 
ples may  be  found  in  the  suite  from  No.  132G,  G  G  G  G,  to 
No.  1351,  MM  MM,  inclusive.  ^ 

This  series  of  cameos  (with  the  exception  of  two  numbers, 
1327  and  1330,  representing  the  East  and  the  AVest)  are  all 
works  of  the  most  able  artists  of  the  epoch  of  Trajan,  and  are 
now  esteemed  in  Rome  as  works  of  the  highest  merit. 

They  portray  the  jileasures  of  the  hunting-expeditions,  the 
wars,  and  other  incidents  in  tlie  Hfe  of  Trajan. 

These  cameos  were  the  subjects  of  the  basso-rilievos  which 
ornamented  a  triumphal  arch  erected  in  honor  of  Trajan. 

In  the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Constantine  the  Romans 
despoiled  tliis  monument  of  all  these  subjects  tributary  to 
Trajan,  and  adorned  with  them  the  ai'ch  which  they  then 
built  for  Constantine. 

It  was  said  in  those  davs  no  emperor  liad  ever  equalled 
Constantine  in  building  up  the  Empire,  and  therefore  they  did 
not  hesitate  to  dismantle  a  monument  of  his  ])redecessor.  (See 
detailed  description  in  catalogue  raisonne  of  Greek  and  Roman 


118 


HISTORIC    CAMEOS.  119 

Classics  and  3Iythology,  p.  7ol.)  Mention  should  also  be  made 
of  the  cameo,  No.  207,  Case  P,  Coriolauus  visited  by  his  moth- 
er Yetui-ia  and  his  Avife  Yohimnia.  His  original  name  was 
Marcius,  but  on  account  of  his  ^alor  in  a  contest  against 
the  Volscians  he  was  suruamed  Coriolauus.  In  the  time  of 
a  famine  he  was  impeached  for  his  opinions  in  regard  to  tlie 
distribution  of  corn  received  from  Sicily :  he  was  condemned 
to  exile.  He  now  went  over  to  the  •  Volscians,  and  became 
o-eneral  of  their  ariiiv,  and  successfullv  attacked  the  Romans; 
they,  fearing  him.  made  advances  to  him  and  ofiered  the 
restoration  of  all  his  property  and  franchises;  he  resisted  all 
theii-  propositions.  It  was  not  until  his  mother  and  wife  came 
to  him  that  he  could  be  induced  to  relent;  their  prayers  and 
tears,  however,  moved  him;  he  then  retired  with  his  army, 
but  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life  with  the  Volscians,  who  had 
honored  him  for  his  valor  and  not  from  fear.  The  guard  with 
a  shield  at  the  right  is  a  Volscian,  and  he  at  the  left  is  a  Roman. 

Observe  also  the  cameo  No.  153,  Case  J,  an  allocution  of 
Marcus  Aurelius  before  the  Prpetorian  Guai-d:  the  guard  are 
not  onlv  known  by  their  costume,  but  by  the  banner  which 
is  marked  S.  C.  {Senafus  Cousultiim). 

No  incidents  in  ancient  history  are  more  interesting  or 
more  dramatic  than  the  episodes  in  the  life  and  career  of 
fair  Cleopatra;  one  of  the  most  vivid  to  my  fancy's  recol- 
lection is  the  scene  of  her  fatal  giving  up  of  that  romantic 
life  as  depicted  on  the  beautiful  turquoise  cameo — No.  346, 
Case  T. 

It  is  well  understood  that  all  the  cameos  concerning  Christ 
are  truly  hi.-^torical.  Also  No.  968,  Case  III,  Horatius  de- 
fending the  bridge.  The  bridge  was  on  the  Tiber  at  Rome : 
Horatius  was  fighting  the  Etruscans ;  the  Romans  were  obliged 


120  EXanA  VED    GEMS. 

to  destroy  their  end  of  tlie  bridy-e,  avIu-ii  Iloratius  witli  liis 
horse  swam   back. 

True,  we  have  liistorv  through  classic  Latin  sources  of  the 
most  impoi'tant  events  of  tlie  first  and  second  centuries.  Yet 
these  portraitures  on  stone,  executed  in  tlie  very  epochs,  add 
certainly  great  interest  to  the  records  of  these  times.  The 
subjects  on  stone  in  my  collection  embraced  within  the  Nos. 
1326-1351  above  alluded  to  mirror  to  us  more  faithfully,  more 
vividly,  scenes  in  the  lives  of  several  Roman  emperors  than 
anv  manuscript  possibly  could   have    done. 

We  have  Trajan  as  emperor,  judge,  and  warrior.  We  see 
him  engaged  in  conflict,  we  admire  him  victorious,  we  rejoice 
in  his  happv  return  to  Rome  on  several  occasions ;  in  his 
triumphant  reception  both  by  the  people  and  the  army,  and 
in  the  arches  erected  as  souvenirs  of  his  prowess ;  in  his  dig- 
nified reception  of  the  son  of  the  king  of  the  Armenians,  and 
in  his  condescension  in  restoring  their  kingdom ;  in  several 
of  his  expeditions  against  the  Dacians,  and  in  his  happy 
escape  from  the  plot  of  Decebalus.  We  have  instances  of  his 
public  charities  delicately  depicted  in  cameo :  his  religious 
sacrifices ;  his  exploits  as  a  hunter  oi  manv  wild  animals,  the 
boar  and  the  lion  included,  are  exemplified.  We  have  several 
beautiful  groups  with  emperors  delivering  allocutions  before 
the  cohorts  of  their  armies,  senators,  and  other  dignitaries ; 
also  the  important  cameo  No.  l.'US,  the  1riumj)hant  entry  of 
Titus  A  e.spasianus  into  Jerusalem,  whereon  twenty-two  figures 
are  visible,  and  cameo  No.  1341',  the  exit  from  Jerusalem  of 
his  \dctorious  army,  on  which  nineteen  figures  are  seen ;  also 
the  groups  of  Jewish  prisoners. 

All  these  pages  in  m\  stone  l)ook  are  certainly  interesting 
additions  to  ancient  historv. 


MYTHOLOGICAL. 


We  have  another  riclily  ilhistrated  category,  of  antique 
gems,  both  cameos  and  intaghos.  Tln'ongh  their  possession 
we  liave  become  heirs  to  the  most  thorough  knowledge  of 
mythology.  Hundreds  of  distinct  specimens  may  be  gathered 
from  gly]:)tic  Avork  centuries  before  Christ,  and  arranged  so 
as  to  form  several  genealogical  trees.  In  mythology  there  is 
not  one  single  ancestor  of  all,  as  in  the  biblical  historv,  Avhere 
Adam  is  honored  with  being  our  original  and  oidv  progenitor, 
and  equally  censured  with  being  the  testator  of  our  legacy 
of  all  human  ills.  The  myriad  bigamist  ancestors  of  the 
countless  mythological  beings  pictured  on  ancient  gems  have 
created  and  bequeathed  to  us  numerous  lamilies  of  celestial 
and  terrestrial  divinities,  denizens  of  earth,  air,  and  water. 
Like  the  royal  families  of  our  sphere,  there  was  nnich  inter- 
marriage of  close  relatives,  many  of  theii-  offspring  bearing 
for  a  while  the  forms  of  animals,  birds,  and  anon  reptiles ; 
some  of  their  descendants  were  even  metamorphosed  in  those 
ti'opical  climes  into  trees,  under  whose  cooling  umbrage  other 
scions  were  l)orn  and  commenced  their  adventurous  career. 

These  poetical  conceptions  were  the  mvtliological  fore- 
runners of  the  simpler,  i)urer,  diviner  religion  which  Avas 
eventually  given  to  man.  A  close  observer  may  find  in 
these  legendaiy  myths  antetypes  of  the  omnipotent  God- 
head now  revealed  to  us  and  in  which  is  our  sure  hope 
and   trust. 

121 


122 


ENGRAVED    GEMS. 


Life  is  so  precious  and  xei  so  little  apportioned  to  each 
of  lis  !  I  have  given  much  time  to  the  acquisition  of  gems 
and  the  investigation  <>f  this  interesting  subject.  How  can  I 
be  repaid  ?  Can  there  be  found  some  thinking  ones  who  will 
read  carefully  this  treatise  ?  Then  may  I  hope  that  an  interest 
will  be  awakened  in  my  subject,  and  many  ma)'  enjoy  years 
of  pleasant  research. 


Bacchus  and  Ariadne.    (Iteduced.) 
See  gem,  Plate  99. 


REMINISCENCES  OF  TRAVELS 


PURSUIT    AND    THE    ACQUISITION 


ENGRAVED   GEMS. 


REMINISCENCES  OF  TRAVELS 


IN  THE  PURSUIT  AND  THE  ACQUISITION  OF  ENGRAVED  GEMS. 


These  stones  have  not  been  found  at  or  near  my  American 
home,  nor  many  of  them  in  the  great  cities  of  Europe,  but 
have  been  gathered  in  lands  foreign  to  that  in  which  I  spent 
my  yoiith  and  in  places  remote  from  the  beaten  track  of 
ordinarv  travel.  ]\Iany  of  them  have  amusing  histories,  and 
there  are  curious  incidents  connected  Avith  the  search  for  and 
acquisition  of  them.  Having  been  an  earnest,  enthusiastic 
collector,  interesting  memories  are  mine  concerning  a  large 
proportion  of  my  collection. 

The  zeal  with  which  I  have  sought  and  followed  up  certain 
engraved  gems  which  eventually  came  into  my  possession  can 
perhaps  be  more  clearlv  expressed  by  noting  the  desire  I  long 
had  to  look  upon  a  constellation  which  can  only  be  seen  when 
one  reaches  the  country  adjoining  Abyssinia.     When  travelling 


125 


126 


REMIXISCEXCES   OF   TRAVELS. 


in  a  southerly  direction,  week  after  week  at  night,  I  asked  my 
dragoman  (in  many  respects  my  tutor)  if  it  was  yet  visible. 
"Patience!"  was  his  oft-repeated  reply.  At  last,  one  silent 
evening  in  Ethiopia  he  led  me  forward  on  my  boat,  my  home 
for  the  time ;  he  then  guided  my  eye  to  a  starry  cross  low 
witliiu  the  southern  horizon ;  it  was  the  long-sought  constel- 
lation of  the  "Southern  Cross,"  and  with  gratification  I  invol- 
untarily exclaimed,  "I  have  seen  it!  at  last  I  have  seen  it!" 
Precisely  so  have  I  felt  after  seeking  some  special  gem  which, 
having  seen  or  heard  of  for  a  moment,  before  I  could  be- 
come  its  possessor  had  changed  ownership,  domicile,  and  even 
country.  When,  in  after  years,  I  again  heard  of  it,  found  and 
secured  it,  almost  invariably  I  would  return  to  my  lodging  to 
enjoy  doubly  its  beauty  and  the  thought  that  it  was  mine ! 

When  living  in  ^lorocco  I  used  to  go  to  the  Soho,  a  great 
market-place  without  the  city  of  Tangier,  Avhere  multitudes 
of  trades-people  congregated  on  tw(i  days  in  the  week,  com- 
ing from  the  city  and  from  a  distance,  both  to  buy  and  to  sell 
their  merchandise.  I  would  announce  through  my  dragoman 
that  on  the  next  market-day  I  woidd  be  there  and  ready  to 
buA-  fine  and  antifpie  jewels  and  gems.  Thus  have  I  added 
to  iny  store. 


THE    STOEY-TELLER. 


I  REME5IBER  well  Oil  (1116  occasion  wandering  from  the  city 
of  Tangier  to  the  ontskirts  of  the  desert ;  it  was  evening.     I 
soon  found  vdiat  I  sought,  a  caravan  of  Arabs  with  their  camels 
laden  with  Oriental  merchandise;  it  was   the   hour  of  repose 
and  diversion.     Tlie  caravan  was  at  rest :  it  was  a  picturesque 
assemblv,  the  faithful  humpbacked  creatures  of  burden  deployed 
in    oToups  and  in  ranks,  each  with  his   saddle-racks   stacked 
behind  him  as  the  arms  of  a  regiment  in  Invouac,  with  necks 
and  heads  outstretched  upon  the  sand,  now  and  again  turning 
their  stupid  faces  and  eyes  as  if  looking  for  some  one  sure  to 
come;    and  when  at  last  a  picturesque  grizzly-bearded  liadji 
in  a  waAworn  turban  began  to  stir  in  a  great  wooden  basket 
the   husk  porridge  of   prickly   shrubs,  refuse  vegetables,  and 
savor)'  fragments  from  the  shrivelled  stems  of  the  date-bearing 
palms,  the  nostrils   of   the  camels,  so  carefully  closed  in  the 
hot  sand-blasts  of  the  desert,  Avere  now   distended,  conscious 
through  their  keen  sense  of  smell  that  nourishment  was  being 
prepared  for  them.     Another  aged  camp-follower  with  melon- 
seeds  and  lentils  slipped  quietly  about  selling  small  measures 
to  the  assembled  Arabs,  and  from  a  terra-cotta  amphora  or  jug 
a  beverage  of  sweetened  watei-  weakly  flavored  with  sinrituous 
mastique.     Though  alcoholic  drinks  are   contrary  to  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  Koran,  I  have  seen  many  Arabs  indulge  in  this 
cold  grog.     The  amphora-bearer  served  his  clients  noiselessly, 
for  Abdallah,  who  was  not  to  be  disturbed,  was  already  standing 


129 


130  REMINISCENCES   OF   TRAVELS. 

in  his  place  and  the  i'antasia  of  the  eveninji;-  was  al)ont  to  com- 
mence with  a  ne\y  story.  During  a  h;)no-  jom-ney  across  the 
desert  there  is  a  i)osition  lield  Ijy  one  man,  the  story-teller ; 
it  is  a  post  of  honor,  for  of  all  that  multitude  lie  only  who  has 
proved  that  he  has  the  power  to  gain  his  comrades'  ears  and 
hearts  can  attain  the  office  of  story-teller. 

On  that  lovely  African  evening  stood  the  professional  story- 
teller, Abdallah  am  Bahi,  almost  surrounded  by  the  reclining 
Arabs.  The  ]dacid  features  of  his  remarkable  countenance,  not 
yet  aroused  In-  his  professional  emotions,  were  already  warmed 
from  the  reddened  glimmer  of  the  sunken  sun;  his  earnest  eyes 
spoke  in  concert  with  his  voice  as  he  commenced  his  romance ; 
he  was  soon  himself  absorbed  in  his  discourse  ;  it  was  wonder- 
ful to  see  how  he  held  his  audience  spellbound,  while  he  re- 
lated to  them  how  the  liero  Aclimet  el  Zoria  with  shrill-toned 
voice  was  crying  "  Allalm  akbar,  ashadu,  an  la  ilalia  ill  allah," 
thus  calling  to  evening-  prayers  from  the  minaret  of  the  village 
mosque — how  his  intoning  was  suddenlv  interrupted  when  he 
discovered  that  his  darling  inamorata,  Fatima,  had  been  carried 
off  by  Eeiss  Ali  Sheriffe,  a  Bedouin  captain. 

Our  story-teller  Abdallah  at  this  point  gesticulated  Avildly, 
beating  the  air,  striking  his  body  with  vehemence,  tearing 
away  the  kufiyeh  which  formed  his  turban,  and  pulling 
franticall}'  at  the  lock  of  hair  which  shoidd  have  been  left  for 
the  Prophet  of  God;  so  vividly  he  impersonated  the  jealous 
rage  of  the  hero  Achmet  el  Zoria  that  tire  seemed  to  flash  from 
myriads  of  e}-es.  The  Arabs  now  sat  cross-legged  as  in  an  am- 
phitheatre around  him,  fingering  the  thirty-three  beads  of  their 
lavmen  rosaries,  yet  giving  him  their  rapt  attention.  Abdallah's 
stirring  recital  now  aroused  them,  and  nunn-  who  were  in  the 
act  of  lighting  ant)ther  chibouque  cast  tlie  tire  to  the  ground, 


ACH-MET   EL  ZOBIA  CALLIXU  TO   PRAYERS. 


THE  STORYTELLER.  133 

so  wronoht  up  mcvc  tliey  in  tlie  romance ;  tliey  ton  ruthlessly 
niiturhaniMl  or  threw  oft'  their  tarbooshes  from  their  Mussulman 
heads,  and  exclaimed  with  one  another,  "  Bismillah  er  raliimir 
rahmani"  ("In  the  name  of"  God  the  Merciful"),  and  in  another 
breath  they  cried,  "  Down  with  Reiss  AH  Sherifte !"  With 
outstretched  arms  Abdallah  Ijade  them  be  still  and  attend  the 
sequence  of  his  story.  There  was  now  a  greater  proof  of 
the  j)ower  witli  wliicli  he  held  them :  as  a  summer  wind  be- 
comes a  breeze,  and  then  a  calm,  so  that  multitude,  swayed 
li\-  tlic  story-teller's  mandate,  resumed  in  a  moment  their 
riveted  attention  to  his  narrative. — Achmet  el  Zoria  lost  no 
time :  he  had  seen  the  abductor  already  leaving  the  town  and 
taking  to  the  desert ;  he  knew  it  also  from  his  cousin  Mahomet 
Sadouin,  who  hastily  mounted  to  the  minaret  to  warn  him, 
having  just  returned  from  a  distant  oasis  AA'hence  he  hail  drawn 
great  skins  of  sweet  water ;  after  a  moment's  counsel  a  substi- 
tute was  installed  to  finish  the  call  to  prayers;  Achmet  and 
Mahomet  hastened  their  descent,  and,  tpiickly  unloading  the 
water-skins  Avliere  they  were  before  the  mosque-door,  Achmet 
Avas  soon  seated  on  his  cousin's  steed,  and,  qiiitting  the  town, 
peered  out  into  tlie  desert  t(t  discover  the  course  tlie  enemy 
had  taken.  It  is  now  an  hour  since  Ali  left ;  the  horse  seems 
to  know  his  errand,  and  with  a  faithful  interest  in  liis  rider's 
cause  speeds  his  way,  i)huiging  and  flying-  as  did  3Iazeppa. 
He  comes  in  view  of  two  figures,  one  of  whom  seems  to  be 
the  peace-breaker,  the  brigand  lover.  lie  gains  upon  his  track, 
though  now  tlirougli  depths  of  sand  he  can  but  plod;  he  draws 
near,  ;nid,  to  his  chagrin,  discovers  tlie  |)artv  he  has  pursued  to  be 
a  trader  and  his  aged  mother  on  tlieir  wa}'  to  Tetuan.  Achmet 
and  his  horse  took  breath  and  courage,  although  tliis  had  been 
the  liour  of  the  evening  mirage  on  the  heated  sands;   at  this 


134  REMINISCENCES   OF  TRAVELS. 

moment  the  mist  lifted,  and,  in  the  direction  of  Arxillo,  Achmet 
descried  clearly  the  Pluto  who  had  crossed  the  path  of  his 
love.  The  faithful  steed  seemed  also  to  see  them  and  to 
understand  the  error :  ^\•ith  renewed  energy  he  ceased  to  plod, 
for  now  some  miles  of  a\  ild  camel's  sage  served  them  well ;  its 
roots  ffivinff  a  firmer  foothold,  steed  and  man  soon  overtook 
the  real  abductor.  Before  Achmet  reached  him  Ali  Sheriffe 
was  dismounted,  and,  having  placed  Fatima  in  the  rear  and 
his  beast  of  burden  tin  his  haunches,  used  him  as  a  breastwork 
of  defence ;  the  contest  without  firearms  was  of  short  duration. 
Achmet,  with  the  loaded  baton  with  which  anon  he  beat  the 
bells  upon  the  minaret,  proceeded  to  serve  a  series  of  heavy 
blows,  which  brouglit  otlier  peals  of  music  from  panting  Ali's 
head,  who  with  Fatima  had  all  this  time  been  wending  his 
way  upon  an  ungainly  camel.'  Soon  Achmet  felled  him  on 
the  sand :  leaving  him  there  as  he  would  have  left  a  jackal, 
he  returned  to  the  village. 

As  our  stor\-teller  described  the  flight  of  the  abductor, 
and  Achmet  in  pursuit,  the  Arabs'  eyes  also  Avere  peering 
out  into  the  dim  evening  haze  on  the  desert :  they  were 
following  the  flight  of  romance,  as  'twere  a  living  steed 
and  earnest  chase ;  and  when  Achmet,  thanks  to  the  faitliful 
beast,  overtook  the  runaway,  again  in  their  excitement  they 
renewed  their  cries  with  arms  in  air  and  voices  shrill ;  they 
showed  how  they  enjoved  the  bringing  to  the  dust  of  liatfled 
Ali. 

The  narrative  brought  hapitily  back  Achmet  with  Fatima, 
who  vowed,  the  rescue  o'er,  she  loved  him  fondly,  and  would 
always  more  and  more.     Joyous  denouement ! 

Abdallah  ceased  to  .speak,  his  story  told,  yet  still  lie  held 

'  Camels  are  the  usual  means  of  transport ;  holies  are  a  luxury  in  Morocco. 


THE  STORY-TELLER.  135 

them  as  in  a  magnetic  spell,  t'or  lie  luul  a\  niuglit  himself  into 
a  state  of  ecstasy,  in  whicli  condition  lie  preached  the  morti- 
fying of  the  ilesh,  his  sincerity  proved  by  his  actions,  he  per- 
forming the  most  astonishing  contortions  of  his  sinewy  frame 
as  he  sprang-  in  air  and  jumped  about  the  space  of  sand  cov- 
ered by  his  carpet,  before  which  stood  the  copper  brazier  which 
the  camel-dri\ers  nsed  for  lighting  their  pi])es.  A  group  of 
Arabs  from  a  neigliboring  village  now  added  nnxsic  to  the  scene 
by  strumming  on  rude  stringed  citterns  and  the  beating  of  tam- 
bourines or  tum-tnms ;  these  strains  were  evidentlv  for  the 
audience;  they  soothed  not  Abdallah,  who  approached  with 
fury  the  brazier,  and,  taking  bright  embers  of  liurning  char- 
coal ^^•ith  his  tingers,  ])laced  them  bravely  in  his  mouth,  fear- 
lessly crushed  tliem  between  his  teeth,  and  swallowed  them ; 
again  and  again  he  returned  to  the  tire  and  took  coal  after 
coal  of  niby  hue :  one  could  see  sjiarks,  and  even  flames, 
issuing  from  his  mouth  as  his  breath  gave  a  current  of  air  to 
his  burning  aliment.  lie  then  produced  a  coarse  gauze  bag, 
from  A\hich  he  drew  two  or  three  screeching  insects  in  form 
like  a  humble-bee,  opened  tl)em  with  his  long  finger-nails, 
dropped  their  entrails  into  a  hollowed  gourd  cuj)  of  water, 
and  set  it  on  a  stake  driven  in  the  sand,  and  for  half  an 
hour  proceeded  with  other  antics.  He  then  displayed  the 
gourd,  when  lo !  it  was  tilled  with  little  wriggling  white 
serpents  three  or  more  indies  in  length,  which  raised  their 
forms  out  of  the  '\^•ater  and  seemed  to  be  regarding  the  new 
world. 

He  next  unfolded  a  rudelv-woven  camers-hair  haick  or 
blanket,  which  he  took  from  a  basket,  and  aroused  three 
larger  serpent  companions,  who  evidentlv  were  of  age  and 
well   acquainted   with   their    master,    for   at   the    sonnd    of    his 


136  REMINISCENCES   OF   TRAVELS. 

voice  and  the  siglit  of  a  banil)on  wand  tliey  stO(i(|  erect  in 
air,  only  restina'  on  the  last  sections  of  tlieir  tails,  and  at  his 
commands,  '■'■  ShcnKildl,"  or  "  Yciiiiutil"  they  turned  their  heads 
full  to  the  right  or  to  the  left,  Ixtwed  one  at  a  time,  then 
altogether,  and  in  the  same  order  opened  Avide  their  months, 
and  afterward  performed  many  antics,  resting  on  his  shoulders 
or  even  hanffinsf  by  their  tails  from  his  band)oo  \\  and.  One 
could  not  say,  "How  cruel!"  for  the  snakes  appeared  to 
be  as  nmch  pleased  as  the  Bedouins  who  assisted  with  their 
applause.  There  was  to  me  no  doubt  they  were  enjoying 
the  weird  music,  for  whenever  the  motley  orchestra  ceased 
playing  for  a  moment  these  reptiles  seemed  to  cast  a  look 
of  reproach  that  wav,  and  drooped  their  enamelled  heads. 
After  thus  entertaining  his  auditors,  Abdallah  sank  exhausted 
on  the  earth ;  he  had  succeeded,  he  liad  gained  their  atten- 
tion ;  they  had  listened,  looked,  and  appreciated ;  Abdallah 
was  satisfied. 

Give  me  A'our  hearing,  listen  and  look  with  me  a  while,  aid 
nie  to  raise  this  lantern  of  art  before  you.  These  engraved 
gems  are  bright  as  pearls,  and  reflect  interesting  light  on  the 
history  of  art.  They  come  to  us  from  almost  all  historic  time. 
Some  of  them  existed  thousands  of  years  before  Christ's  advent; 
some  were  worn  l)y  damsels  and  others  by  emancipated  slaves 
centuries  before  the  Ivonian  Empire ;  many  were  buried  in 
the  tombs  of  the  Pharaohs ;  and  precious  seals  which  gave 
legal  value  to  documents  during  the  ancient  reigns  of  the 
Assyrian  kings. 

These  tangible  relics  are  now  presented  to  }-our  consid- 
eration. We  have  no  ancient  garments,  nor  furniture,  nor 
habitable  structures  of  those  epochs ;  our  interest  is  in  these 
minute     monuments    uf    those    ancient    peoples,    and    tidings 


THE  STORY-TELLER. 


137 


from    tliem    in    the    loriu    of    inscriptions    are   in    our   posses- 
sion  t()-(lav. 

Tlie  camels  sleep ;  we  must  leave  Abdallah ;  the  hour 
warns  me  that  I  must  retrace  mv  steps  if  I  would  re-enter 
the   Medinah   Ijefurt-   tlie   cldsinii"  oi  the   gates  for   tlie   night. 


THE    BAZAAES    OF    TAXGIER. 


Within  the  (•it\'  of  Tangier  the  bazaars  are  more  Oriental 
in  their  t-spe  than  tliose  of  cities  farther  East ;  the  shambles 
opening-  on  tlie  pnbHc  square  are  more  airy,  and  locomotion 
is  more  practicable.  The  ensemble  was  to  me  a  pleasing  picture: 
piles  and  hang-ing-  masses  of  carpet :  rugs  of  Moorish  and  of 
Persian  make,  rich  in  their  blended  colors  and  harmonious  in 
their  designs ;  glittering  copper  wares,  artistic  in  form  and 
decoration :  pungent  spices,  whose  aromatic  fragrance  pervades 
the  air ;  Arabescpie  wooden  wares,  embellished  with  yellow, 
red,  and  green  designs,  set  with  lacquer ;  articles  of  luxury 
and  necessity  for  nourishment  and  for  ornamentation ;  jewelry 
for  ears,  noses,  necks,  arms,  and  lingers ;  eatable  birds,  alive 
in  nets  and  cages.  In  the  Medinah  some  of  the  stalls  in  the 
bazaars  are  the  smallest  I  have  ever  seen — only  a  few  feet 
square,  just  large  enough  for  their  sombre  ])roprietors  as  they 
sit  cross-leffo'ed  to  rcacli  anv  and  everv  thino'  on  the  shelves, 
with  onlv  the  trouljle  of  turnins:  round  without  risins'  from 
their  indolent  position.  Dates  are  the  commodity  of  whicli, 
after  all,  tlie  most  are  sold. 

In  the  narrow,  tortuous  passages  where  there  is  nuu'li  traffic 
it  is  difficult  to  thread  one's  way  and  push  through  the  throng 
of  motley  dealers,  camels,  asses,  and  donkeys.  The  right  of 
way  seems  to  belou"-  to  these  mounted  tradesmen ;  one  is 
startled  b\-  tlieir  cries  to  "Make  wav  !"  the  shouting  of  itin- 
erant peddlers,   and  tlie  moaning  of  camels. 

The    tobacco-merchants   are   tlie    most    picturesque-looking 


138 


CONTENTMENT— THE  -MERCHANT  OF  PISTACHIO-NCTS,  TANGIER. 


THE  BAZAARS   OF   TANGIER. 


143 


men — all  in  white,  cleanly,  and  neat  in  costume;  their  sales  of 
tobacco  by  the  tierce  and  ham|)er  are  important,  and  they  form 
a  striking-  contrast  to  the  many  retailers  of  fruits,  l^eans,  melon- 
seeds,  nuts,  and  the  like.  Just  at  the  corner,  near  the  ste})s 
of  a  white  mosque,  1  noticed  an  old  Moor  sitting  with  all  the 
dignity  of  an  im})ortant  merchant  smoking  his  chibouque,  yet 
all  his  apparent  stock  in  trade  was  about  two  quarts  of  pis- 
tachio-nuts, which  he  sold  from  a  metallic  measure  holdina: 
not  more  than  two  ounces ;  he  was  an  exemplitication  of 
contentment. 


^yfe^-^l^w 


THE    THEEE    AMPHORA. 


The  strangest  feature  of  all  was  to  he  seen  in  a  sequestered 
alcove,  where,  on  a  space  made  tenantable  by  the  construc- 
tion of  a  booth  somewhat  in  the  nomadic  architecture  of  the 
Bedouins — a  rude  skeleton  frame  of  light  portable  scantling, 
the  ends  or  joints  lashed  together  witli  thick  cords  of  red 
leather,  the  roof  and  sides  covered  \\ith  coarse  porous  blan- 
kets, dark  Ijrown  in  hue,  liand-woven,  with  yellow  and  green 
borders  as  in  Arabia,  of  goat's  hair,  jungle-grasses,  and  refuse 
wool;  a  dozen  or  more  low  lounges  or  stretchers  of  wooden 
frame  covered  with  matting  of  plaited  rushes;  the  iiiterior 
concealed  horn  the  gaze  of  the  curious  by  a  portiere  or  curtain 
of  equally  primitive  loom-work;  the  front  or  outer  apartment 
the  office  and  dispensary  of  the  seer-fakir  of  the  desert.  The 
entire  establishment  or  booth  is  approached  through  a  narrow 
nassao-e  leading  between  two  stalls  on  the  main  corridor  of  the 
bazaar. 

The  seer-fakir,  like  any  other  charlatan,  spoke  iininternqit- 
edh',  plying  his  ]n-ofession  with  varying  success;  he  cried  witli 
every  Itreath,  '' Sciiki  !  scnio  !  wlio  wants  .sciiia  .""  ("Heaven! 
wlio  wants  heaven?")  "Here  are  consolations  for  tliis  life, 
forgetfulness  of  the  past,  enjoyment  of  the  present,  ;ind  dreams 
of  the  future  !  Behold  them  in  these  three  amphorae  decocted 
from  blessed  herbs  from  the  hidden  grottoes  of  the  Bou  S'lilia 
River !  Wilt  thou  forget  the  trials  of  the  past  ?  drink  of  the 
first,  Embareh.^     Wilt  thou  revel  in  tlie  possible  pleasures  of 

'  Yesterduy,  in  Arabic. 
144 


S 

s 


THE   THREE  AMPHORAE.  147 

the  present?  drink  of  tlie  second,  Eu-nnliar-deli/  Wilt  tlioii 
ill  thy  dreams  pierce  the  veil  that  closes  futurity  to  thy  view  ? 
drink  of  the  third,  Bukra."'"  These  potions  are  all  draughts 
iiiducinji'  sleej),  hut  innocuous,  not  dani;erous  in  moderate 
doses.  It  was  surprising  to  me  how  mauv  jiaid  their  pias- 
tres and  ^vent  in  to  enjoy,  to  sleep,  to  forget,  and  to  dream. 
For  each  recruit  an  attendant  prepares  lights  and  serves  a 
nargileh,    carefully   removing-  it  as  the  man  falls  asleep. 

I  know  something  of  the  ecstasy  enjoyed  by  the  use  of 
the  third  potion,  for  I  had  a  friend  who  tried  it  and  described 
his  sensations  to  me.  It  is  well  to  have  lieen  pleased  with  the 
past,  to  be  delighted  with  the  jiresent,  to  hope  for  the  future, 
and  to  take  no  potions. 

Punctually  at  11  a.  m.  I  was  at  the  rendezvous  in  the  bazaar 
to  atteml  to  and  receive  whatever  might  be  oftered  in  response 
to  my  ajipeal  of  the  other  dav.  My  success  is  a  matter  of 
satisfacti(,)n  to  me  even  at  this  remote  day,  and  among  others 
I  treasure  \n\  Lucius,  and  finding  the  incident  of  its  subject 
so  entertaining,  it  will  be  given  under  the  head  of  "  Interesting- 
Incidents  of  Subjects."  With  the  gem  1  had  acquired,  my 
Lucius,  safe  in  an  inner  pocket,  I  left  the  mosques  and  the 
white  houses  and  the  golden  sun  of  ^lorocco  that  so  gener- 
ously unveils  its  visage  there,  and  looking  to  the  sea  I  sought 
other  lands,  other  people,  and  other  gems. 

'  To-dav.  '  Tu-mono\v.     Tliis  latter  contains  some  hasheesh. 


PORTUGAL. 


For  nearly  tliirty  years  I  liave  enjo^-ed  the  friendship  of 
an  old  Franciscan  monk,  Frater  Arsacius,  in  the  monastery 
of  that  order  in  ]\Iiunch,  who  during  twelve  years  was  a  mis- 
sionary in  the  West  of  the  United  States,  where  we  had  nuitual 
friends  in  Cincinnati.  At  liis  instigation  I  added  to  my  search 
for  gems  that  of  souvenirs  for  his  monastery ;  naturally,  these 
objects  were  alwavs  of  a  religious  character — small  ancient 
artistic  altar-pieces  or  relics  of  shrines  scattered  over  many 
countries  whilom  denizened  l:)y  the  Latin  race. 

When  in  Lisbon  searching  for  gems  in  the  Rua  Aurea,  "the 
street  of  gold,"  a  friendly  antiquary  told  me  I  might  tind  some- 
thing of  interest  at  a  dealer's  close  to  the  church  and  monastery 
of  St.  Jeronimos,  founded  a.  d.  1500,  at  Belem  on  the  Tagus. 
We  drove  out  there,  and  after  a  courteous  reception  and  agree- 
able visit  came  away  with  an  old  chiselled  cross  which  long 
since  has  been  domiciled  in  the  Bavarian  monasterv.  I  re- 
tained for  myself  a  gold  and  1)ronze  tigure  of  our  Saviour 
crucitied,  of  the  sixteentli  century,  wdth  grccu  patina  of  bronze 
on  many  parts  of  the  gold.  I  learned  from  an  nndoubted 
source  that  this  was  taken  fmni  tlu-  'i'ibcr  at  R(inK',  and  came 
to  its  possessor  through  an  antiquary  who  followed  closely  the 
works  on  the  banks  of  the  Tiber.  .  I  also  ol^tained  many  thino-s 
from  the  laborers  (see  No.  123,  Case  11).  To  those  interested 
in  sculpture  note  the  sarcoi)hagi  of  Dom  ^lanuel  and  his  Queen 
Catherine,  and  rilievo  of  the  architect  Potassi. 


148 


THE  ANTIQUARY— ST.  JEEOXIJIOS,  BELEM,  PORTUGAL. 


> 

so 

1-3 
is 


O 
PS 

O 
B 
S 
c» 

O 


B3 
O 


^ 

H 


EASTWARD    HO! 


The  sentimental  crv  of  liread-winnevs  lias  been  "Westward 
ho!"  since  Coluinlms  proved  tliere  was  a  continent  there  rich 
in  spices,  gokl,  hard  woods,  etc.;  g-enerations  of  fortune-seekers 
turned  to  the  New  World,  and  we  are  their  descendants :  but 
for  art  and  evidences  of  the  greater  civilizations  that  have  made 
the  Avorld's  artdiistorv  we  nuist  return  to  the  East;  and  now, 
with  that  motive,  we  eml)ark  upon  the  l)eautiful  vet  treacherous 
Mediterranean.  Recollections  of  our  adieu  at  Lisbon  are  still 
in  our  hearts  as  w^e  stroll  through  the  streets  of  Cadiz :  another 
dav  brings  us  to  Algeciras  and  Gibraltar.  Little  in  the  ()rder 
of  gems  there  except  a  few  heirlooms  in  private  families,  as 
such  too  highly  appraised  to  be  reasonaljly  accpiired. 


On  with  like  results  to  ]\Ialaga,  where  we  indulge  in  grapes 
and  their  juices :  ^"alencia,  we  remember  thy  oranges ;  Tar- 
ragona, treasuring  on  its  old  altars  rejiousse  in  silver  and  in 
gold;  Barcelona,  a  city  of  to-day:  and  Marseilles,  with  its 
docks  and  commerce;  Cannes,  on  the  (inlf  de  la  Xapoule, 
with  the  islands  of  Lerins,  St.  Marguerite,  and  St.  Honorat ; 
Xice,  l)iiou  cradle  of  sunshine,  fragrant  Howers,  and  fashion, 
has  frcMpuoitlv  addeil  to  my  cabinet  good  specimens ;  Sardinia, 
from  wliose  Tharos  (see  No.  559,  Case  G  G)  onward,  east, 
touching  at  ])oints  of  interest  on  shore  and  on  islands.  At  one 
])ort  not  far  from  Messina,  which  for  evident  reasons  shall  not 
be  more  clearlv  indicated,  for  years  I  dealt  with  one  who  cer- 


153 


154 


REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 


tainly  proved  that  success  in  almost  any  pursuit  ilepeuds  on 
energy  and  enterprise ;  it  is  well  understood,  wiih  a  share  of 
intellectiial  capacity.  This  man  was  terribly  deformed:  all 
his  limbs  and  even  his  features  were  t\\isted  and  shrivelled; 
yet  he  managed  to  travel  and  to  Ijring-  tog'ether  many  inter- 
esting antiquities,  and  from  his  treasures  I  have  made  frequent 
acquisitions. 


-^^^^■-^*-;-%^ 


_^feS-fe. 


-^sf  «r    i 


"7" 


NAPLES. 

Naples  !  thou  ;irt  in  tliysolf  a  great  cameo,  in  liig-li  relief, 
on  many  strata,  marulated  from  Fontana  Medina  to  Castle 
Sant'  Elmo,  thine  eyes  looking  to  the  islands  of  the  sea,  thine 
ears  charmed  l)v  the  myriad  voices  of  thv  people,  thy  nostrils 
breathing  the  perfume  of  flowers,  tin'  li[is  welcoming  the 
strangers  that  gaze  u})<)n  thy  Ijeauties,  tin'  brow  crowned  bv 
Sante  ^lartino,  thy  shoulders  and  anns  stretching  out  from 
Posilipo  to  Portici,  thv  face,  bv  dav  radi;nit  under  thv  Xea- 
politan  sun,  at  niglit  anon  reflecting  the  gorgeous  volcanic  light 
of  thy  \'esuvius,  anon  ablaze  with  thv  carnival-beacons. 

Naples  has  Ijeen  generous  to  me,  and  Pompeii  has  vielded 
ancient  gems,  though  it  has  been  ordained  that  thev  shall  not 
go  forth  from  thence. 

Athens!  ever  the  proud  seat  of  the  Acrf>polis,  cradle  and 
shrine  of  Grecian  art,  dismantled  as  thou  art,  I  greet  thee  in 
passing — will   iiutc  .ill   th\'  beauties  in  their  place. 

Stromb(di's  toi'clilight  is  mirrored  in  the  heavens;  God- 
given  Pharos!  thou  markcst  well  our  course,  (-)ur  automaton 
craft   speeds  on   my  errand,  seeking  another  light. 


157 


EGYPT. 

Before  the  break  of  day,  under  a  starless,  dark  niglit-sk}^, 
in  November,  ISliD,  I  saw  from  Bab-el-Arab  the  welcome 
flash  of  the  beacon-light,  and  the  bright  morning  found  me 
gem-prospecting  at  the  gates  of  the  golden  sands  of  Cleo- 
patra's realm,  the  seaport  city  of  Dinocrates  and  xllexander, 
now  Alexandria;  from  thence  the  iron  way  brought  me  to 
Cairo,  where,  having  completed  my  arrangements  and  engaged 
my  jmsoiiiiel  witli  the  aid  of  my  dragoman,  Eimice  Ali,  I 
was  soon  floating  in  my  own  temporary  home,  a  citizen  of  the 
Nile. 

The  question  whether  Egyptians  have  a  natural  love  of  art 
was  soon  answered  in  some  measure  by  the  following  incident, 
at  least  as  regards  mv  retinue  of  servants  and  sailors : 

Having  spent  some  time  at  Boulak  making  a  choice,  I  rented 
a  dahabeah  and  furnished  it  to  my  taste :  it  Avas  all  white,  with- 
out any  ornamentation ;  so  for  some  days  I  amused  m^'self  b}' 
decorating  it  with  ornamental  painting,  principally  the  facade 
of  the  dwi'lUng-part  of  the  boat  facing  the  front,  where  I 
painted  a  series  of  desert  scenes  with  temples,  pyramids,  and 
fertile  palm-groves.  It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  these 
pictures  would  have  been  somewhat  better  executed  could  I 
have  prevailed  upon  those  good  fellows  to  keep  their  heads 
from  between  me  and  my  work ;  there  are  times  when  one 
can  see  almost  through  a  stone ;  hoAvever,  I  finished  them 
sufficiently  well,  as  it  proved,  for,  like  a  travelling  panorama, 
they  were  visited  and  admired  dm-ing  our  three  or  four  months' 

158 


EGYPT. 


159 


journey  in  as  many  coinitries  1)v  the  kindred  and  friends  of 
my  captain  and  drag'omaii,  \\lK)m  it  was  my  agreeable  duty 
to  entertain  at  various  points  on  the  voyage. 

There  is  no  intention  of  relating  the  history  of  the  Nile 
voyage ;  only  such  details  will  lie  given  as  will  enable  the 
reader  to  follow  me  to  those  points  lia\dng  some  connection 
Avitli  my  subject,  or  such  incidents  as  are  not  of  the  order 
usiially  found  in  such  books. 

Having  a  prosperous  wind,  our  lateen  sail  drawing  us  -well 
toward  the  south,  I  acquiesced  in  the  request  of  my  captain, 
wlio  did  not  wish  to  sto])  that  I  might  shoot  some  of  the 
myriad  ducks.  "  Let  us  use  the  breeze  when  Allah  gives  it," 
said  he.  However,  the  wind  falling  as  we  neared  the  port 
from  which  is  the  route  to  Memphis,  Ave  went  ashore  at  that 
point  for  the  tirst  time. 


DESERTED    HALLS. 


In  the  remains  of  sul)terranean  structures  and  passages 
^\liieli  I  have  seen  and  explored  near  Memphis  I  have  learned 
something  of  the  ancient  rites  \\liit'li  were  there  exemphtied 
and  practised. 

The  candidate,  after  due  and  very  long  and  strict  prepara- 
tion, started  with  his  guide  through  a  long  tunnelled  corridor, 
or,  to  bring  the  scene  of  his  initiation  more  vividly  before 
von,  it  may  be  remarked  that  1  ]ia\e  in  these  countries  more 
than  once  investigated  these  subterranean  passages.  Like  the 
candidate  of  ancient  times,  I  entered  and  passed  with  my  guides 
into  one  of  these  very  subterranean  galleries,  and  after  pi'o- 
srressinff  what  seemed  to  me  to  1)e  aljout  an  eiii'hth  of  a  mile 
we  reached  a  chasm  or  great  well  seemingly  of  profound  depth. 
Here  the  candidate's  courage  was  tested :  he  was  instructed 
to  descend;  if  he  was  sufticiently  courageous,  all  went  well 
with  him,  otherwise  he  was  compelled  to  return  to  whence  he 
came  and  foi'ego  the  completion  of  his  nnudi-desired  initia- 
tion. ( >f  course  1  met  with  no  greater  di.scomfort  than  tlie  too 
frequent  enc(Uinter  with  tlie  mnnerous  vampires  and  largi 
bats  that  were  continuouslv  scooping  between  the  torches  and 
iu\'  head;  at  the  bottom  of  this  chasm  \\  t-  t'utercd  another 
corridor,  and  after  a  while  mv  guides  gave  me  to  understand 
that  I  nmst  be  carried  on  a  seat  formed  by  tlieir  united 
shonlders.  When  well  thus  seated  we  soon  arrived  at  one 
of  the  most  interesting  points  the  candidate  had  to  encounter 
in   the   ceremony :    it  was   here   that   he   arrived   at   a   pool  or 


e 


160 


DESERTED    HALLS.  IRl 

stream  of  water  which  in  ohl  tiuies  he  liad  to  swim,  but  my 
cicerones,  mv  men-horses,  waded  bravely  into  the  water.  I 
sav  "bravelv,"  but  u}M)n  reflection  think  they  AA'ere  not  valor- 
ous, l)ut  cnnnin;^-  t'ellinvs  with  designino-  heads.  I  acknowledge 
feeling  unpleasantly,  tor  when  we  arrived  at  about  the  middle 
of  the  pool  tlie\'  stopped  and  demanded  tlie  purchase  of  some 
articles  of  auticjuiTv — scarabei  or  something  of  that  sort;  then 
the  torches  looked  at  me,  and  I  looked  at  the  torches,  and  the 
ghostlv  lonelv  chamber  and  the  running  cold  water,  perched 
on  their  shoulders  with  ni}-  legs  in  air,  I  felt  that  these  guides 
were  \qv\  nearly  masters  of  the  situation.  I,  however,  did 
not  accede  to  their  propositions,  and  all  went  well.  Here  the 
candidate  was  forced  to  swim  witli  the  hope  of  entering  an 
enticing  portal  on  the  other  side,  but  the  rings  which  had 
the  appearance  of  oifering  him  the  means  of  landing  at  the 
beautiful  door  \\ere  illusi\e.  It  is  said  that  he  was  almost 
sure  to  fall  again  into  the  water,  Init  that  if  he  courageously 
kept  his  holil,  that  door  would  soon  open  to  him,  and  after 
mounting  the  stairway  beyond,  he  would  Ije  in  the  presence 
of  the  master  and  his  wardens  and  priests,  and  would  be 
found  wortln-  to  receive  the  coveted  degree.  The  door  is  no 
longer  there,  but  I  sa^^-  the  entrance  and  beyond  into  the 
great  chamber. 

This  part  of  the  series  of  apartments  which  were  excavated 
and  constracted  for  the  mystic  rites  is  said  to  have  been 
very  imposing,  and  when  peopled  with  the  great  officers  and 
brethren  of  the  rites  an-ayed  in  their  official  robes  and  insig- 
nia, it  must  have  been  indeed  splendid;  yet  it  was  to  me  a 
scene  in  all  its  associations  painfully  sad ;  I  coidd  not  longer 
stay. 

Thev  who   in   their  day  had  ruled  with  power  here,  the 
11 


162  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

plebeians  too  wlio  lived  ujioii  tlieir  smiles,  liad  joinefl  the 
grand  cortege,  upon  the  river  of  lime  lind  silently  floated 
awav  from  tlicsc  chambers  of  mystery;  all  departed  now, 
gone  bevond  the  great  water  to  rest  with  Amnion  l\a,  the 
king  of  the  gods,  to  gaze  for  ever  on  Osiris,  the  prince  of 
eternity.  K\en  the  hoh'  ])riests,  -who  anon,  as  they  adminis- 
tered and  conferred  the  rites  in  these  sacred  precincts,  seemed 
to  l)e  parts  of  the  massive  structure — they  too  had  gone  down 
the  causeAvav  to  the  imuKirtalitv  bevond.  'I'heir  hres  Iiad 
ceased  to  Imni,  their  liglits  Jiad  jialed  and  fled,  their  pomp 
and  rites  shone  no  more  here :  1  ^^•as  indeed  iilone.  The 
loathsome  tenants,  bats  and  vampires,  warned  me  'twas  not 
my  temple ;  I,  the  intruder  in  unfltting  })lace,  retraced  my 
steps  through  these  weird  passages,  and,  emerging  from  the 
oiiter  tunnel,  stood  ii])0u  the  site  of  old  Memphis. 

Memphis,  the  ancient  palatial  city  of  the  white  wall,  the 
very  stones  of  whose  edifices  have  centuries  since  been  carried 
away  to  build  other  mansions,  where  now  one  walks  on  mil- 
lions of  fragments  of  ])otterv,  morsels  of  terra-cotta  almost 
shapeless  now,  once  cunningly-formed  vases  and  household 
utensils  pictured  and  glazed  and  enamelled,  now  the  dusty 
mementoes  of  that  city  through  whose  streets  one  could  have 
walked  from  noon  until  simset  ere  the  Nile  was  reached, 
accompanied  on  every  side  by  the  art-monuments  which 
guarded  and  emiched  the  wav. 

It  is  interesting  to  remark  all  that  remains  of  the  grandeur 
of  this  once  popidous  plain  now  sleeps  in  the  tombs  of  the  Acrop- 
olis of  Sakkara,  and  Ibr  ^\•ell-])reserved  and  abounding  inscrip- 
tions the  tombs  of  some  thousands  of  A})is  bulls  are  especially 
to  be  studied  and  admired. 


DESERTED    HALLS.  163 

On  retuniini;-  to  the  daliabeah  we  found  all  tliin;^s  elianged 
— the  sails  furled  and  eight  of  the  sailors  seated  with  great 
heavy  oars  ready  to  row ;  we  then  understood  why  Iveiss  Ali 
wanted  to  jn'oiit  l»v  yesterday's  breeze.  1  notieed  that  as  the 
sailors  rowed  they  sang  "  E-li-sa  !"  Tlie  tradition  is  that  Xoah 
when  l)uildiiig  the  ark  warned  the  people,  who  all  mocked  him, 
except  one  pious  woman  nameil  -Elisa,  who  believed  and  asked 
Noah  to  notify  her  when  the  ark  would  be  ready  and  she 
would  go  with  him.  Noah,  however,  with  a  press  of  business 
forgot  her,  Ijut  the  next  morning,  rememljering  her,  he  returned 
with  the  ark  and  found  her  alone  on  the  dry  sunnnit  of  a  hill 
near  her  house.  Seeing  that  Allah  had  kept  her  dr}-,  Noah 
always  respected  her  as  one  of  God's  chosen  handmaids.  So 
the  Egyptian  sailors  to  this  day  sing  "E-li-sa!"  believhig  that 
Allah  will   help  them  as  lie  did  this  woman. 

Near  Roda  again  went  ashore  with  my  gun,  accompanied 
by  two  servants,  Slieemy  and  Mahmood,  both  hunters  and 
knowing  the  ground ;  I  shot  some  becasse,  pigeons,  and  gim- 
reah.  li\  attention  was  called  to  a  species  of  bird  until  then 
miknown  to  me,  the  hoopoe  (Uptqm  Epnps),  a  Ijird  of  North- 
ern Africa;  has  a  tuft  on  the  head  which  can  be  raised  or 
depressed  at  will,  the  subject  of  many  tales  and  legends; 
utters  the  sound  of  "Oop!  oop!"  called  by  the  natives  "IL:>op! 
h(.(.p!"'  Eunice,  learned  in  the  Koran,  related  that  these  birds 
were  res])ected  by  the  Arabs  because  Solomon,  sitting  on  his 
regal  carpet  of  green  silk  or  marching  under  the  burning  rays 
of  the  sun,  was  protected  by  an  army  of  these  birds  flying 
over  him  and  his  immediate  attendants,  thus  forming  a  canopy 
and  grateful  shade. 

After  visiting  the  bazaars  of  Sioot  or  Assioot  and  making 
several  purchases,  we  crossed  to  El  Worta,  where  we  anchored, 


VU  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

the  head  wind  being-  too  strong  for  us  to  advance.  Profiting' 
by  the  occasion,  I  went  ashore  to  luuit,  and  noticing-  a  great 
ant-liill,  Eunice,  tnie  Mahometan,  always  ready  with  incidents 
from  the  Koran,  related  to  me  the  following-  legend :  Solomon 
not  only  knew  all  animals  and  birds,  but  understood  their 
speech.  A  lion  who  passed  a  certain  ])oint  every  night  on  his 
way  to  drink  water  in  the  Nile  disturbed  a  large  colony  of 
ants,  breaking  their  hills :  they  decided  to  do  nothing  until 
they  had  consulted  Solomon,  who  told  them  he  would  warn 
the  lion  to  desist  or  abide  the  consequences.  The  lion  laughed 
and  scorned  the  little  ants;  then  Solomon  gave  tlie  ants  per- 
mission to  revenge  themselves:  they  made  three  deep  pits 
close  to  their  hills ;  at  night  the  lion  came  and  fell  in  head 
foremost  and  tail  uj) :  in  this  predicament  the  ants  fell  upon 
him  in  full  force,  and,  entering  his  intestines,  .soon  destroyed 
him.  Solomon  had  already  had  an  interview  with  the  ants 
when  en  route  for  Mecca.  "  And  his  armies  were  gathered 
together  unto  Solomon,  consisting  of  g-enii  and  men  and  birds, 
and  they  were  led  in  distinct  bands,  until  they  came  unto  the 
valley  of  ants.  And  an  ant,  seeing  the  hosts  approaching,  said, 
'  O  ants,  enter  ye  into  your  habitations,  lest  Solomon  and  his 
army  tread  you  under  foot  ;iiid  jierceive  it  not.'  And  Solomon 
smiled,  laughing  at  her  words,  and  said,  '  O  Lord,  excite  me 
that  1  mav  be  thankful  for  thy  favor  wherewith  thou  hast 
favored  me  and  my  parents,  and  that  1  may  do  that  which  is 
right  and  well-pleasing  unto  thee ;  and  introduce  me,  tln'ough 
thy  mercy,  into  Paradise,  among  thy  servants  the  righteous.'" 

Solomon  was  supposed  to  possess  and  wear  a  seal  on  mIucIi 
was  engraved  the  name  of  God,  ^^•hicll  gave  him  also  power 
over  demons. 

Looking  to  either  shore,  much  game  tempted  me  to  order 


o 


D 
O 


g 

O 


3 


THE    OLD    POTTER.  Ifi9 

mv  captain  to  lav-to,  tliat  I  nii<ilit  add  sonK'tliinfj  to  our  larder; 
but  wisliiuti-  to  reach  a  good  stopping-place  by  evening-,  we 
kept  on  our  course  until  we  moored  at  Girgeli,  and  the  folloAv- 
ing  day  made  an  early  start  on  donkeys  for  Abvdus,  where 
many  interesting  hours  were  spent  studying  the  arcliitecture 
and  decorations  of  the  walls  of  the  palace  of  Sethi  and  Ram- 
eses  the  Great  and  the  temple  of  Osiiis,  Avhose  walls  are  other 
examples  of  Egypt's  great  cabinets  of  what  may  be  termed 
vast  glyptic  treasures,  those  wonderful  legends  inscribed  in 
hieroglyphics  and  basso-rilievos.  I  obtained  impressions  by 
attaching  large  sheets  of  coarse  gray  bibulous  paper  thoroughly 
wet  on  the  stone  and  then  patting  it  with  a  large  brush.  The 
plate,  Sculpture  of  Abydus,  is  one  of  the  most  interesting. 


In  the  Ijazaar.s  of  Girgeh  I  found  several  old  rings  (see  No. 
1097,  Case  Q  Q  Q),  and  near  Keneh  bought  a  nose-ring  from 
a  woman  who  was  drawing  water  in  an  amphora.  When  the 
bargain  was  made  she  removed  the  ring  from  her  nose,  and, 
washing  it  in  the  Nile,  I  pocketed  it. 

When  at  Keneh  I  visited  thoroughly  the  busy  hovels  known 
as  fiictories  of  pottery.  A  superior  quality  of  clay  is  found  in 
a  ravine  near  the  town.  There  was  one  old  man  who  particu- 
larly interested  me,  and  who  took  the  trouble  to  entertain  me 
by  operating  with  his  old  lathe :  and  as  I  ling-ered  long  with 
him  I  saw  him  form  six  very  pretty  vessels  of  varied  shapes 
which  I  sketched  on  the  spot.  His  lathe  was  the  interesting 
feature  to  me,  very  primitive  in  design  and  construction.  The 
almost  vertical  shaft  had  its  base  in  a  socket  set  in  a  hole  in  the 
ground  beneath  him,  turned  rapidly  abo\  e  liis  bench  or  table. 


170  SEMINISCENCES   OF   TRAVELS. 

receiving  its  motion  from  liis  feet,  as  indicated  in  mv  sketch 
made  at  the  moment  of  my  visit. 

I  have  always  contended  that  my  opinion  on  this  question 
is  Avortli  something  until  some  ancient  Eg\ptian  rises  from  his 
luummv-case  to  refute  or  contradict  it.  I  re])eat  that  in  tliis 
primitive  tuniiiig-latlic  (wliicli  we  know  was  used  hv  the  ( "hi- 
nese  b.  c.  TOO)  we  have  evidence  of  the  existence  of  a  machine 
equally  ca})al)le  of  drilling,  cutting,  and  of  engraving  l)y  com- 
mmiirating  its  rapid  rotary  motion  to  the  copper  disks,  whidi 
have  been  found  in  abundance,  and  which  some  numismatists 
have  kept  on  account  of  their  curious  resemblance  to  ancient 
Chinese  mone\' :  tiiCN'  have  a  square  hole  in  tlie  centre  witli  a 
raised  shoulder  on  its  contour.  These  disks  wei-e  charged  witli 
particles  of  Oriental  ametliyst,  as  such  grains  of  sand  have 
been  found  buried  in  tlie  corroded  copper  and  covered  with 
tlie  waxen  patina  of  age. 

On  tlie  other  side  of  the  Nile  we  visited  the  temple  of 
Dendcrah:  it  is  another  example  of  the  tact  mentioniMl  Ijy  me 
in  reg-ard  to  architecture  in  tlie  reign  of  Diocletian  :  w  hen 
there  is  a  decline  in  art,  tlie  first  and  most  sensitive  brancli 
is  that  of  stone  engraving  and  kindred  sculpture.  In  Kgyjit 
there  was  such  a  deterioration  in  the  era  of  the  construction 
of  the  temple  of  Denderah:  it  was  not  yet  one  of  arcliitecture; 
it  was  the  eiiiiraved  emliellishmeiit,  tlie  intau'lios  and  basso- 
rilievo  hieroglyphics,  which  were  less  artistically  executed ; 
the  temple  is  in  its  portico,  coluniiis,  and  proportions  equal 
to  those  of  earlic^r  jieriods. 

l)et\veen  Keneh  and  Thebes  we  knew  when  we  \vere  ap- 
proaching the  land  of  the  Copts,  for  many  of  their  jieople 
came  sAvimming  for  a  mile  at  least  around  our  dahabeah.  Out 
on    tlie   great   river   tliev   swim   with  their   legs   and   one   arm, 


THE    OLD    POTTER    AT    KKXEII. 


THE   MEMNONIUM.  173 

and  with  the  other  hand  hold  up  their  money-boxes  asking 
for  charit}-  for  their  convents. 

We  found  Httle  to  see  of  the  ancient  town,  for  Diocletian 
had  punished  its  rel)elhon  against  his  authority  by  its  ahnost 
utter  destruction  by  his  minions ;  there  are  remains  of  an  old 
wall  and  a   pillar  of  'i'hothmes  III. 

After  reflections  during  my  voyages  in  Egypt,  I  have  come 
to  a  conclusion  perhaps  never  conceived  by  those  who  have 
not  seen  the  ruins,  and  in  many  instances  almost  perfect  re- 
mains, of  that  interesting  country.  Diocletian,  and  a  host  of 
others  who  were  vandals,  have  slept  with  these  ruins  for  cen- 
turies ;  it  is  easy  to  attribute  all  this  destruction  to  them ;  yet 
through  ancient  Latin  historians  we  learn  enough  to  \\arrant 
us  in  deciding,  even  at  this  remote  day,  that  much  of  the 
destruction  can  rightfully  be  attributed  to  earthquakes,  which 
■were  local  in  their  points  of  devastation,  else  why  should  we 
tind  three  temples  precisely  of  the  same  order  and  dynasty, 
or  at  least  of  the  same  epoch — two  thrown  to  the  ground  and 
engulfed  in  it,  while  the  third,  within  a  thousand  yards'  dis- 
tance of  the  spot,  standing  in  almost  its  original  grandeur? 
Eusebius  believed  that  the  destruction  of  the  monuments  of 
Thebes  was  caused  by  an  earthquake  within  the  first  cen- 
tury 13.  c. 


It  is  remarkable  how  one  in  such  distant  lands  will  often 
meet  with  incidents  which  remind  him  of  home.  When  walk- 
ino-  in  the  irreat  vaulted  chambers  of  the  Menmonium  we  were 
apin-oached  by  a  swarthy  personage,  tall  and  well  made ;  we 
could  see  just  how  well  that  individual  was  constructed,  for 
the  only  textile  apparel  was  a  scarf  at  the  loins,  which,  had  it 


174  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

not  been  for  a  veil  of  beard  on  the  face,  nili;lit  liave  caused 
some  difficulty  in  my  ronscientidusly  now  declaring-  to  you 
it  was  a  man. 

This  man  reminded  me  turcilily  of  certain  diiiiiitaries  in 
chivalrous  orders,  chapters,  and  encan^Hnents  in  America.  In 
seeing  him  my  thoughts  reverted  to  home,  because  he  was 
so  thoroughly  decorated.  Perhaps  you  ask  already  Ikhv  he 
attached  his  insignia,  liaving  so  little  apparel  That  did  not 
baffle  him:  he  liad  his  decorations  strung  on  the  reddened 
sinews  of  a  crocodile's  ham-strings  which  were  fastened  nnmnd 
his  neck.  Among  his  medals,  which  1  of  course  examined  and 
admired,  there  was  the  silvered  cover  of  a  pomatum-pot  with 
a  bear's  head  in  ndief  and  in  raised  letters  "Jules  llauel, 
Philadelphia;"  also  the  lid  of  a  small-sized  tin-box,  its  bright 
metallic  edge  still  bearing  the  label  of  "]\Iason's  Challenge 
Blacking."  That  brought  me  home  too,  for  I  remember  when 
a  vouth  seeing  millions  of  those  little  yellow  labels  repre- 
senting a  negro  jjoy  dancing  with  joy  on  seeing  his  figure 
reflected  in  a  polished  boot.  He  had  also  several  really 
pretty  medals ;  one  of  them  was  that  of  Gallipot's  Corn  Salve, 
Boulevard  de  Strasbourg,  Paris;  a  gilded  jeton  souvenir  of 
the  opening  of  the  Suez  Canal :  and  two  United  States  nickel 
coins,  a  three-  and  a  five-cent  piece:  most  of  these  objects 
naturally  were  thrown  away  or  lost  l)y  American  tourists  on 
the  Nile,  and  this  dark  brother  had  thus  gained  these  great 
distinctions.  The  display  hung  glittering  oii  his  ])lacid  breast 
or  hid  it,  and  he  seemed  just  as  tickled  as  many  of  our  com- 
patriots do  when  they  are  staggering  under  the  load  of  metal 
that  adorns  them  on  festive  occasions  in  New  York,  I'hila- 
delphia,  and  Washington. 


OUR  DECORATED   NL'BIAN— MEMXOXIUM. 


ESSEII. 


ASSOUAX.  179 

At  Luxor,  Mustapha  Aga,  consul  to  Great  Britain  and  tlie 
U.  8.  A.,  entertained  us  with  chibouques  and  dancino-o-irls, 
and  presented  me  witli  an  Egyptian  idol:  these  idols  are 
found  about  tlic  mimnnies  of  rich  men  ;  and  are  also  found 
in  numbers  in  i)r(inortion  to  the  retiinu-  of  each,  one  beino- 
deposited  for  each  servant  owned  bv  the  deceased. 

At  Esneh  visited  the  temple  where  the  lotus  hsh  was  wor- 
shipped;  strolled  ill  tlie  bazaar  and  bought  three  gems  and 
an  antique  bronze  seal.  The  crew  baked  bread  here,  a  per- 
formance which  T  watched  with  interest,  and  can  testifv  that 
they  exposed  it  longer  to  the  rays  of  the  sun  than  to  the  heat 
of  the  oven. 

At  Edfoo,  without  the  usual  preparations  of  our  Ijoat  for  a 
long  stop,  we  saw  with  great  interest  its  temples,  particularly 
the  one  so  long  encumbered  m  itli  iiri\;itc  residences,  but  thirtv 
year.s  since  cleared  out  and  mvW  uortliv  of  careful  ins|)ection. 
Its  deitv  was  Hor  Hat,  the  aod  svmbolized  bv  a  wiin'vd  "lolie; 
it  is  rich  in  hieroglyphics  and  other  (inianientatioii.  The  inter- 
])retation  of  many  of  the  cartouches  and  other  Inscriptions  has 
unveiled  much  historic  infoi-marion. 


At  Assouan  there  was  no  necessity  of  our  visiting  tlie  citv 
bazaar,  tor  the  .shore  whei-e  we  had  iiKxired  soon  became  a 
country  tair  enlivened  bv  music  and  gn in])s  of  venders  of 
necklaces,  bracelets,  Idin-fiinges ;  strange  costumes  in  leather 
cut  in  strijis  and  trimmed  witli  various  colored  little  .shells, 
ostrich  feathers,  and  eggs;  ebony  clubs,  amulets,  scarabei,  and 
other  antiquities.  "We.  however,  talked  through  the  town 
several  times  during  the  week  we  were  moored  at  its  hos- 
pitable shore.      The  shops,  booths,  fakir  shows,  and  dancino-- 


ISO  REMINISCENCES   OF   TRAVELS. 

girls   produce   one   of   tlie   most  varied  and  amusinor  pictures 
of  any  Nile  cit\'. 


Though  hundreds  of  niv  renders  have  perlin])S  seen  and 
gone  through  the  cataract,  this  is  the  ])lace  for  luv  mention 
of  our  j(MU'nev  up  and  through:  as  this  Ijook  has  nianv  word- 
pictures,  this  one  may  be  added,  even  if  never  framed  in  the 
appreciation  of  all  \\\\  readers.  It  might  l>e  classed  a  rock- 
waterscape,  for  the  journey  is  accomplished  l)v  a  force  of 
Nubian  natives  (in  our  case  one  hmidred  and  ninet\'-eight  in 
nundier,  for  Sindbad  the  Sailor  was  harder  to  move  than  Alad- 
din ever  was),  who  enact  a  scene  that  might  l)e  denominated 
Bedlam  as  they  pass  the  great  cords  from  rock  to  rock,  some 
obeying,  and  all  giving  orders  at  the  top  of  theii-  voices;  they 
dive  into  the  water  and  swim  from  one  boulder  to  a.nother  like 
the  sea-lions  in  the  Jardin  d'Acclimatation  at  Paris,  and  grapple 
and  tug  and  pull  manfully  at  tiie  ropes  like  fishermen  in  tlie 
unstable  sands  of  Scheveningen ;  nor  were  mv  ()wn  Arab 
sailors  idle  the  while:  they  aided  in  ])ropelling  the  dahabcah 
in  a  theoretic  way,  taking  their  turns,  two  or  three  at  a  time, 
to  retire,  and,  kneeling  upon  their  straw  mats,  to  m'ge  by 
earnest  prayer  tlieir  great  Prophet  to  give  us  good  speed. 

Some  things  are  said  to  go  better  with  nuisic :  the  noise 
these  throngs  of  Nubians  make  to  incite  one  another  to  aid  in 
the  ascent  of  our  craft  is  of  a  school  of  nuisic  which,  tlumgh 
haj)])y  in  its  effects  on  savage  breasts,  is  as  Wagner's  symplu)- 
nies  are  to  those  wlio  cannot  appreciate  them;  yet  it  makes 
them  g"0.  A  parrot  is  ])roud  of  tlu'  chatter  he  makes,  aiul 
surely  these  amphil)ious  fellows  are  vain,  for  as  thev  rise  to 
the  surface  of  the  water  and   scream,   the\-  al\\a\s  turn  their 


THE    CATARACT. 


181 


eyes  to  patrons  on  the  boat  they  are  drawing,  seeming  to  say, 
"  "Was  not   that  tyeeli-kateer — very  good  f 

Tliev  have  one  ver\'  bml  liahit,  known  in  these  times  also 
in  America:  invariablv  when  thev  get  the  vessel  into  very 
tin-l)ulent,  ra})i(l  water  abont  two-thirds  of  the  way  np,  they 
feel  that  x\\e\  are  needed,  and  they  strike,  not  as  hard  perhaps 
as  a  coal-miner;  l)nt  the  l)low  comes,  and  we  or  our  dragoman 
have  to  capitulate,  and  wlien  they  have  conquered  us  by  break- 
ing their  contract,  they  attack  the  swift  waters  with  a  will,  and 
soon  the  upper  stream  is  reached. 

Do  thev  stop  to  dry  themselves  often  f  No,  not  that  day 
until  thev  have  gained  the  quiet  water  above  and  are  paid ; 
then  their  towel,  the  sun  ever  in  the  heavens,  chases  the  water 
from  their  bronzed  forms,  and  they  lie  down  to  smoke  and 
have  their  mastique  and  dates  and  lentils.  We  came  to  still 
water  and  to  new  fields  of  interest. 


AI^    EXIGMA. 


From  time  to  tiiiu%  viewing  temples  iuid  other  ruins  in 
Egvpt,  I  noticed  small  scraps  of  paper  here  and  tliere  with 
wliat  seemed  to  me  ahnost  mysterious  letters:  they  certainly 
were  Roman  capitals;  sometimes  there  would  be  only  two 
together,  ER-RT ;  again,  several  of  two  letters,  as  EW-IC- 
ES-CA-N(^,  with  a  lonely  H  and  a  T.  Once,  standing  on 
wliat  pro^•ed  to  be  modern  egg-shells,  I  saw  among  their 
debris    the   following   more    formidable    arra}- :    E — PR-RAL- 

AMF.-  W Y() :   they  seemed  to    have    some  association 

with  mv  life.  I  resorted  to  the  expedient  practised  in  the 
Academ^-  of  Inscriptions  at  Paris,  and,  having  no  blackboard, 
marked  u[)  all  these  letters  or  syllables  of  dismembered  words 
on  a  large  card,  and,  essaying  an  interpretation  of  the  proli- 
lem,  only  succeeded  in  making  the  miintelligible  words, 
NEWICESORE  PRUBLBYYOTA,  with  which  result  T  was 
dissatisfied,  and  correctly  so,  as  the  sequel  ^\ill  show.  (,)n  1 
went,  the  mvster^'  boiling,  till  on  this  day  of  the  Cataract, 
when  we  had  pist  anchored  otl"  the  island  of  Phila%  I  hurried 
ashore  alone  and  sped  mv  ■^^•a^",  anxious  to  see  the  remains 
of  Ptolemv's  temple  of  Isis :  when,  nearing  several  large  frag- 
ments of  a  stone  pediment  jutting  out  before  me,  evidently 
concealing  something  living,  I  knew  it,  for  beyond  and  above 
the  ed"'es  of  the  stone  fragments  T  plainlv  sa^^'  human  white 
hands,  and  above  those  hands  more  of  these  Roman  letters ; 
still,  no  complete  word  was  visible:  YO-ES  and  ER  again; 
but  as  1  advanced  and  my  vision  took  in  \\hat  was  be}'ond 


1S2 


AX   EXIGMA.  187 

the  stone,  the  .mystery  wa,s  unravelled :  the  hands  were  those 
of  a  jiarty  of  Americans,  some  of  wlioni  were  friends  from 
New  Yi  irk  and  Philadelphia.  The  enigma  Avas  solved :  the 
black  letters,  the  only  ones  I  had  been  able  to  see,  were  parts 
of  the  titles  of  journals  read  bv  the  denizens  on  the  Hudson, 
the  Delaware,  the  ^lississippi,  and  the  Nile ;  in  fact,  by  all  the 
world :  they  were  The  New  York  Herald,  The  New  York  World, 
TIic  North  Atiirrirdii,  The  Press,  and  Ilic  I'ldjlic  Lcd/jer  of  Phil- 
adel])hia.  Fnuu  that  moment  these  scraps  of  paper  with  their 
disconnected  characters  were  gems  to  be  cherished  in  my  heart 
as  welcome  talismans  from  home. 

After  adieus  to  American  friends  and  friend  Phihe,  we  were 
soon  sailing  in  view  of  groves  of  date-bearhig  palms,  Um- 
bareka,  Gertassie,  and  Kalabshee.  Moored  this  night  on  the 
eastern  shore,  and  slept,  or  woke,  to  the  barking  all  night  of  a 
pack  of  jackals. 


Steadv  sailing  for  several  days.  Coming  on  deck  one 
morning,  I  found  the  cook  seated  on  the  deck,  between  his 
knees  a  deep  heavy  wooden  bowl  containing  the  roasted  coti'ee, 
which  he  ground  by  turning  rapidly  in  every  du-ection  a  heavy 
wooden  beam  rounded  at  the  l()\'\-er  end  and  suspended  by  a 
rope  from  the  yard-arm — a  "^ery  jn'actical  coffee-mill.  This 
night  we  made  fast  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Nile  at  the  station 
of  two  government  watchmen,  and  about  3  a.  jr.  these  men  tell 
asleep,  and  their  dog  jumped  aboard  our  Ijoat,  and  before  he 
was  discovereil  b\- the  sailor  on  guard  had  entered  the  pantry 
and  drank  up  all  our  milk. 


188  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS 

It  is  almost  a  misfortune  for  a  traveller  in  Xubia  or  Etlii- 
o\n\\  to  be  known  to  be  a  physician :  my  father  was  one, 
and  in  young  manhood  I  studied  anatomy  and  something  of 
therapeutics.  Pearly  in  this  voyage  one  of  m}'  servants  had 
intiamed  eyes:  he  becaiu('  better  after  some  simple  treatment 
from  me.  The  result  of  this  was  that  whenever  we  laid-to 
at  a  town  or  village  on  tlie  1)anks  of  the  Nile,  my  crew  would 
announce  the  advent  of  the  already-lovi-d  plivsician,  and 
swarms  of  sipialid  Arabs  of  every  age  and  sex  were  led  to 
me  with  every  condition  of  diseased  eyes.  I  treated  them  all 
tenderly,  niv  principal  methoil  being  to  prcscril)e  cleanliness. 
In  that  country  women  Ijear  children,  too  many  children — so 
manv  that  when  thcA',  the  mothers,  are  obliged  to  work  in  the 
lentil-fields  or  are  making  mud  bricks  and  walls,  their  children 
lie  sleeping  in  the  sun,  seemingly  under  the  protection  of  the 
flies ;  and  while  the  flies  perform  their  dut\'  tliev  roost  on  the 
children's  eyes.  I  certainh^  have  seen  hundreds  of  these  little 
sufferers  with  at  least  thirty  or  forty  of  these  insects  on  tlu-ir  eyes. 
Thus  \\wx  passively  and  patientlv  suffer  in  infancy.  Among 
the  great  number  thus  inocidated  witli  disease  a  small  propor- 
tion "'o  throutih  life  without  lieholdino'  its  beauties.  A  reason- 
able  mission-work  would  be  to  visit  these  people,  kindly  guard 
these  g'ems  of  vision,  and  the  record  of  such  benevolence  would 
adorn  a  Christian  cal)inet  Avith  memories  of  services  rendered 
to  the  great  Master.  How  incomprehensible  is  contentment ! 
Experience  and  facts  prove  that  often  those  in  palaces  and 
luxurious  homes  know  it  not:  fortune  cannot  al\va\'s  command 
it :  the  wealthy  at  times  feel  they  would  ])refer  a  [jlainer  lot 
did  it  promise  them  that  prize,  conti'utment.  It  is  tbund  in 
those  primitive  communes;  it  rests  upon  meagre,  l)ronzed, 
labor-worn  brows;    it  is  known  and   enjoyed   in  those  realms 


CONTENTMENT. 


189 


of  sqiinlor.  The  myriads  of  lionses  or  hovels  are  all  of  hard- 
c'liuil  iiiud  ;  cooking  is  doiiu  by  suusliine  flavored  with  a  taste 
of  fire.  To-ilay's  porridge  is  enjoyed  with  a  toiler's  appetite, 
and  little  thouglit  is  given  to  to-morrow's  lentils.  In  the 
Chunli  nt'  England  these  people  are  ineluded  in  the  category 
of  heathen  ;  1  have  lived  witli  them,  studied  them,  have  spoken 
with  them,  and  believe  they  have  not  been  foi-gotten  bv  onr 
heavenlv  Father,  and  that  tlie\-  will  evcntuallv  sit  down  i-an- 
somed  in  his  kinii'doni. 


THE    OSTRICH-FEATHER    DEALERS. 


Passing  Kalabshee  and  Dencloor,  Dakkt-li  and  Kortee,  we 
proceeded  on  tlie  eastern  shore  of  the  Nile  to  ]\Iaharraker.  At 
this  point  in  Ethiopia,  Eunice,  knowing  mv  pursiut,  urged  me 
several  times  to  make  an  excursion  to  a  small  settlement  on  an 
oasis  in  the  desert,  where  he  thought  I  would  be  likelv  to  tind 
somethiui!'  of  interest  for  mv  cabinet.  Haviuo-  acceded  to  his 
suggestion,  a  messenger  was  sent  a  day  in  advance  announcing- 
our  intended  visit.  The  necessarv  arrangements  made,  I  need 
hardlv  state  that  we  started  on  a  glorious  morning,  for  every 
day  is  sure  to  be  beautiful  at  tliat  .season.  Kunice  liad  an 
micle  near  where  wt'  had  made  fast  our  dahabeah,  \\ho  oftered 
me  a  dromedary,  but,  having  given  my  body  a  trial  of  that 
sort  of  going,  my  stomach  now  spake  to  me  in  warning  words 
of  counsel:  and  there  we  went  upon  gentle  donkeys,  which 
seemed  to  close  their  nostrils,  leaving  barelv  breathing-room, 
as  we  left  the  narrow  belt  of  fertile  and  irrigated  land  which 
skirts  the  Nile  and  strode  across  the  golden  sand  of  the  desert. 
(I  bottled  some  of  this  sand,  and  have  it  now  beside  me,  long 
years  aft<'r  the  event.) 

One  does  not  expect  much  of  interest  on  a  desert  where 
there  is  almost  nothing  to  see  save  sand  and  scattered  Ijranches 
of  sage  clinging  to  barrenness,  peering  with  their  dull  gray 
eves  into  the  azure  ^\here  silentlv  fiv  the  denizens  of  sjxace. 
A  scientist  might  give  you  a  chapter  on  the  atmosphere,  its 
rarity,  piirity,  elasticity,  softness,  the  inspiration  one  feels  as 
the  lungs  are  soothed  and  refreshed  bv  its  limpid  breezes.  I 
say  "  limpid,"  for  water  is  seldom   so   pure;    one  is  impressed 


190 


THE    OSTRICH-FEATHER    DEALERS.  191 

with  tlie  greater  scope  of  vision  ;  all  seems  to  be  at  rest ;  there 
is  peace  ;  the  very  migratory  birds  look  down  with  a  friendly 
passing  salutation,  as  though  they'd  give  you  tidings  of  the 
watered  grove,  our  destination. 

The  iirst  lialt  was  t(ir  a  few  iiiiiuitcs  onlv  at  the  ruins  of  an 
ancient  town  ••  whost'  n;nne  has  perished  from  the  eartli."  and 
of  which  little  remains  abuve  its  foundations:  we  made  some 
supei-hcial  excavations  with  my  iron-j)ointed  staff,  onlv  to  find 
a  few  old  coins  whose  inscriptions  were  obliterated,  and  one 
small  metallic  ring,  so  much  consumed  that  although  still  in 
my  possession  it  is  kept  only  as  a  souvenir,  not  included  in  mv 
cabinet.  Again  in  saddle  and  descending  the  slope  from  which 
this  town  had  once  commanded  a  xiew  of  the  vallev  of  the 
Nile,  we  espied  in  the  distance  a  herd  of  gazelles  (Aritilope 
dorcas)  passing  across  the  direction  of  our  route,  and  we  noticed 
that  as  each  one  arrived  at  what  seemed  to  be  a  momid  he 
would  very  gracefully  leap  over  it  until  all  had  passed:  when 
we  reached  the  spot  we  found  the  skeleton  of  a  camel  and  of  a 
man  near  by.  The  teeth  of  the  man  were  so  beautifully  white 
and  complete  I  felt  tempted  to  carry  them  awav  with  me,  but 
on  touching  them  with  mv  staff  they  crumbled  to  du.^^t :  their 
beauty  is  remend)ered  to  this  day.  At  noon  we  halted,  having 
found  a  spot  fitting  for  the  enjoyment  of  a  slight  repast — how 
delicious  there!  Dinner  at  home  mav  l)e  a  very  good  dinner; 
to  me  it  is  never  more:  that  hnu-h  in  the  shadow  of  a  few 
rudelv-grouped  boulders  on  the  sand  was  a  feast ;  onlv  such 
an  appetite  can  be  enjo\ed  vmder  similar  cirrumstances.  Our 
approach  in  another  hour  to  the  oasis  was  announced  by  the 
snorting  of  our  animals,  who,  perceiving  the  odor  of  vegeta- 
tion, hastened  their  pace  :  and  great  was  our  surprise  on  ap- 
proaching our  destination  to  find  it  surrounded  by  water,  so 


192  REMIXISCEXCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

tluit  we  were  compelled  to  raise  our  legs  in  air  for  a  iiionient 
while  oiu'  sure-looted  bearers  oarrieil  us  across,  liuT  imt  until 
tliev  liad  stopped  midway  and  copiously  partaken  of  the  water. 
FinalK-  arrived,  the  settlement  proved  to  be  very  clean  and 
( )ricntal-lo(dviny — snowy-white  buildings  relieved  by  yellow 
and  L;r(^(*n  lines  of  ornamentation  glittering  under  a  tro})ical 
sun.  The  dwellings  and  shops  had  some  pretension  to  ^lor- 
esque  arc]iit<M'ture,  with  here  and  there  a  picturesque  minaret 
raising  in  religious  silence  its  sacred  head  against  the  deep 
azure  of  that  Egvptian  skv,  the  tableaii  heightened  l)y  the 
turbaned  heads,  the  kufiyeh,  and  varied  costume  of  such  mer- 
chants as  came  through  curiosity  from  their  bazaars  to  see  the 
new-comers.  These  men  are  experts  in  ostrich-feathers,  in 
which  thev  deal  largely,  combining  with  the  occupation,  how- 
ever, that  of  anticiuary,  for  all  the  camel-drivers  of  the  caravans 
bring  manv  curios  with  them  from  strange  countries  which 
they  traverse  in  tlieir  long  connnercial  jonrnevs.  My  drago- 
man conducted  us  to  the  residence  and  bazaar  of  liis  friend, 
the  largest  dealer  in  the  settlement,  one  of  course  with  whom 
he  was  interested.  They  having  been  advised  of  our  visit,  the 
family  with  their  employes  came  without  and  beyond  the 
threshold  to  i-eceive  us  with  true  Oriental  courtesy :  the  scene 
should  liave  been  preserved  l)y  reflection  or  an  instantaneous 
photographic  plate.  Its  details  are  in  the  camera  where  my 
brain  treasures  many  fair  ])ictures  of  the  ])ast.  The  charming 
cordiality  of  their  reception  on  this  oasis  of  the  desert  was  as 
when  Saiiiucl  received  Snul:  so  this  fomily  came  with  friendly 
smiles  and  kind  assurances  of  welcome.  Nationalities  dift'er  in 
their  manners,  especially  in  the  degrees  of  civility  with  which 
merchants  receive  their  clients  :  in  some  countries  he  who  is 
generally  supposed  to  be  tlie  part}  to  gain  by  the  transaction 


a 


O 


THE    OSTRICH-FEATHER    DEALERS.  195 

assumes  haug-litilv  tlie  attitude  of  one  about  to  make  a  conces- 
sion by  filling-  the  buyer's  orders,  and  even  makes  it  apparent 
that   his   service   or  disiday  of  wares  is  condescension.     How 
different  and  agreeable  was  the  manner  of  these  people !     We 
accepted  their  friendly  invitation,  and  found  ourselves  in  a  series 
of  vaulted  apartments,  the  floors  furnislied  witli  reed  mats  of 
curious  Eastern  workmanship,  with  here  and  there  a  Persian 
carpet.     We  were  surrounded  Ijy  hundreds   of   hampers  con- 
taining ostrich-feathers  of  many  shades  in  Ijlack,  gray,  brown, 
and  white,  and  in  every  quality,  resting  emljedded  here,  as  yet 
unknown  to  admiration,  some  day  to  float  ui)on  the  breeze  and 
gayly  dress  the  head  of  many  a  proud  fair  one  in  more  civil- 
ized climes.     They  were  piled  u^ion  narrow  ledges  against  the 
walls  and  on  i-acks  on  the  floor,  only  leaving  avenues  tlu'ough 
which  to   walk    and  view   the  display.      Though    knowing   it 
■vvas  not  polite  to  proceed  immediately  to  business,  I  instructed 
Eunice  to  tell  Abd-el-Suliman,  the  proprietor,  I  did  not  want 
to  Iniy  feathers  by  the  bale  or  in  quantity,  only  desiring  a 
few  as  souvenirs.      Nothing  would  deter  these  Orientals  from 
serving  us  the    usual  entertainment,  which  was  quite  lavish, 
of  fruits,  coffee,  sweetened  gums,  and  chibouques,  or  nargil- 
ehs  if  preferred.     I  accepted  a  large  amber-tuljed  chibouque, 
such  as  we  were  now  accustomed  to  use.     Only  after  we  had 
with  patience  conformed  to  all  their  customs  were  we  allowed 
to  make  a  selection  of  feathers,  and  at  last  the  objects  of  my 
journey,  the  talismanic  and  other  gems,  were  produced,  Avith 
bronzes  and  tesserge,  manuscripts,  relics  of  every  description, 
curious  Mussulman  rosaries,  thirty-three  beads  in  number,  made 
of  the  pretty  Abyssinian  red  beans  with  a  black  spot,  known 
as  karats ;  they  are  the  fruit  of  the  kuara  tree.     The  rosaries, 
representing    thirty -tlu-ee    attributes,    are    for    lajnien :    many 


196  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

Ai'abs  in  caravan-life  count  their  prayers  by  a  number  of 
pebbles  always  easily  gathered  in  the  sand  en  route. 

There  were  flacons  and  jugs  in  many  forms ;  amber  mouth- 
pieces carved  and  inlaid  with  iibrous  metal ;  enamel  and  nacre 
ornamentation  for  chibouques  and  other  pipes ;  little  faience 
pots  prettilv  glazed  with  enamelled  patterns,  the  unique  de- 
signs and  work  of  a  village  in  the  Fayura,  cunningly  formed 
to  appear  generously  proportioned,  but  holding  only  the  twen- 
tieth part  of  their  volume,  sealed  and  covered  with  a  coarse 
serpent's  skin,  some  with  orange  and  others  with  gi-een  scales. 
They  contain  a  fluid  wax  obtained  by  exposing  to  the  torrid 
rays  of  the  sun  the  leaves  and  petals  of  an  African  lily  spread 
on  beeswax :  the  odor  is  more  intense  than  attar  of  roses  and 
readilv  susceptible  to  dilution.  A  variety  of  water  and  coffee 
ser\-ices,  with  chalice  and  paten,  cups  and  bowls  in  beaten 
copper,  in  brass,  and  in  bronze,  with  arabesque  chased  embel- 
lishment,— had  we  not  been  sure  that  the  source  of  all  these 
wares  was  in  the  south  and  the  east,  about  and  beyond  the 
Fayum,  we  would  have  said  how  Persian  some  of  them  ap- 
peared. In  my  librar}'  to-day  I  see  in  memory's  mirror  so 
many  vessels  and  vases  of  this  and  other  bazaars  Avhich  are 
not  here  because  the}'  were  too  cumbersome  to  l)ring  away  on 
such  an  expedition ;  and  this  ftict  has  often  consoled  me  Avlien 
I  thought  how  easily  all  specimens  of  engi-aved  gems  can  be 
carried  could  they  onlv  be  found  and  obtained  within  any 
reasonable  limits. 

It  does  not  suffice  to  speak  passably  well  tlie  beautiful 
language  of  these  good  people ;  one  must  know  how  to  deal 
with  them,  never  to  permit  the  tradesmen  to  perceive  for  a 
moment  that  one  is  eager  to  possess  what  he  actually  desires. 
I  observe  rather  at  first  anything  else,  perhaps  the  hilt  of  a 


THE    OSTRICH-FEATHER    DEALERS.  197 

prophet's  sword,  or  the  bronze  mountings  from  some  Abys- 
sinian princess's  cradle,  or  Ben  Ibde's  night-lamp  (which,  when 
day  sinking  in  the  west  failed  to  light  his  tent,  shed  its  mel- 
low liglit  on  the  manuscript  he  was  illuminating  to  guide  future 
pilgrims  more  surely  in  the  way  of  ]\Iahomet  and  to  that  proph- 
et's God). 

Between-times  I  was  considering  the  seals  and  other  o-ems 
distributed  throughout  the  mass  of  olyects  displayed :  when 
almost  everything'  else  had  been  examined,  I  quickly  de- 
manded in  their  own  language  what  value  they  placed  upon 
such  things  as  I  wanted,  and,  paying  the  price  finally  agreed 
upon,  always  remembered  to  give  some  showy  trinkets  to  the 
subaltern  attendants  as  backsheesh.  Abd-el-Suliman  now  in- 
quired of  me  if  I  had  visited  the  Dervishes  in  Cairo.  Having 
assured  him  that  I  had  seen  both  tlie  dancing  and  howling 
commiuiities,  he  ixrged  me  to  call  on  his  friend  Sheikh  Hassan- 
el-Belett  at  the  Persian  monastery  at  Helmeea,  where  I  would 
be  likely  to  find  some  mystic  or  Gnostic  gems.  For  introduc- 
tion he  simply  gave  me  a  scrap  of  paper  on  AAhich  he  made 
with  India  ink,  the  imprint  of  his  Arabic  seal :  many  Arabs 
never  sign  their  names,  always  using  their  signet  seal.  Our 
departure  was  then  effected  after  many  salutations  and  greet- 
ings. We  were  not  really  through  yet,  for  on  coming  out  we 
were  surroimded  by  a  group  of  Arab  boys  and  girls,  vc\\o  had 
lingered  near  awaiting  another  opportunity  of  seemg  a  sheikh 
from  America :  true,  there  was  more  costume  on  our  backs  to 
inspect,  for  they  were  about  as  God  had  made  them,  only  some 
of  their  heads  were  decked  with  the  red  tarbooshe,  or  an 
emma ;  the  ffirls  had  necklaces  of  one  kind  or  another  and 
bracelets.  Thev  were,  however,  verv  iniobtrasive  in  their 
inspection ;     their    countenances    rather    expressed    admiration 


198  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

and  respect :  after  a  few  nioiuents'  delay  we  were  enabled  to 
proceed  to  the  courtyard,  where  Ave  had  left  onr  animals.  My 
legs  were  soon  once  more  in  air,  the  precious  water  passed, 
and  not  until  we  had  strode  on  our  sandy  way  to  where  the 
minarets  were  fading  from  our  \\v\y  did  I  regard  my  precious 
accpxisitions;  then  involuntarily  exclaimed,  "I  have  them!  they 
are  mine !"     (See  No.  7,  Case  A.) 

The  pleasure  of  such  a  moment  baffles  description ;  it  was     , 
to  me  a  moment  of  conquest.^     Titus  as  he  came  out  of  Jeru- 
salem rejoiced  in  his   booty  :^    sucli  was  my  enthusiasm  and 
satisfaction,  though  it  was  a  peaceable  mercantile  acquisition. 


On  returning  to  tlie  dahabeah  at  night  I  found  the  crew 
enjoyhig  a  fantasia — that  is,  an  innocent  jollification :  the  deck 
was  gaylv  hung  with  colored  lanterns,  and  by  turns,  in  duos, 
trios,  and  quartets,  they  gave  their  weird  music.  1  innnedi- 
ately  ordered  a  servant  to  prepare  sherbet  for  them ;  all  my 
crew  were  very  steady,  sober  men.  Soon  lieyond  this  })oint 
the  desert  comes  very  near  to  tlie  river  and  affects  the  tem- 
perature :  we  found  intense  heat,  laid-to,  and  went  ashore  to 
repose  in  a  beautiful  palm-grove.  Seeing  some  gray  clouds, 
I  asked  if  we  might  hope  for  rain.  Phmice  rejjlied,  "  Never," 
and,  pointing  to  the  Nile,  "  that  is  the  rain  Allah  hath  pro- 
vided for  us.''  It  is  truly  powerful  rain,  for  the  brighter  the 
niii'lit  the  <>reater  tlie  fall  of  water  in  dew :  we  had  always 
to  see  before  dusk  that  all  books,  garments,  cushions,  etc,  etc. 
were  housed,  else  thev  would  have  been  soaked.  Under  the 
tender   skies   of   this   coHntrx    I   often   .seemed  to  .see,  as  on  a 

'  See  tlie  elosiug  words  of  M.  KdiiioiKl  Le  LSIant's  speecli  bel'oie  I'liistitut  de  France, 
page  C65. 

■'  .See  Xo.  1349,  Case  11  M  M  M. 


I 


c 
z 


s 

c 


ii>i''sc-.  *     i' 


ABOO-SUIBEL.  201 

cameo,  the   marked  forms  of  the  camels  in  relief  upon  the 
bright  stratum  given  hy  the  evening  horizon. 

After  Sabooa,  "  tlie  mountain  of  the  seven  stories,"  we  had 
to  contend  for  several  miles  with  a  strong  current.  Malkeh, 
Korosko,  Amada,  and  made  fast  for  some  days  at  Derr.  "We 
were  presented  to  the  governor  of  Xuhia  by  his  nephew,  whom 
I  knew  already ;  the  governor  was  very  attentive.  He  enter- 
tained us  several  times,  and  seemed  pleased  Avith  his  visits  to 
US  on  board ;  before  our  departure  he  presented  me  with  two 
rings  and  one  to  my  wife,  now  in  my  collection.  (See  Abys- 
sinian case.) 

(^m-  journev  continued  to  Ijeyond  the  second  cataract ;  re- 
turning, we  stopped  at  Wadee  Halfeh.  It  being  the  year 
after  Sir  Samuel  Baker's  last  expedition,  I  saw  one  of  his  small 
steamers  in  the  cataract. 

In  the  desert  beyond  Wadee  Halfeh  we  were  approached 
by  dealers  in  pebbles  of  sard  and  carnelian,  such  as  are  em- 
ployed bv  incisori  for  making  intaglios. 


On  our  descent  of  the  river  we  visited  the  rock-temple  of 
Aboo-Simbel :  one  might  almost  describe  it  as  decorated  with 
great  cameos. 

Voyaging  in  lands  the  most  remote  from  home,  at  the  most 
unexpected  moments  I  have  often  encountered  some  traveller 
who  to  mv  surprise  A\ould  prove  to  be  a  friend  of  mutual 
friends  or  a  conn-ade  of  tlie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
Immediately,  as  }-ou  may  well  imagine,  there  existed  a  bond 
of  friendship,  a  tie.  On  the  Desert  of  Sahara  I  had  this  pleas- 
ant experience,   and    there   I   was    not    alone,   but   was   almost 


202  REMIXISCEXCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

at  home.  Here  our  point  of  attraction  and  our  temple  was  tlie 
rock-liewii  shrine  of  Aboo-Simbel.  We  stood  in  reverence 
in  the  gohlen  sands,  many  of  whose  particles  had  with  time 
worn  awav  from  thosi-  old  potentates  in  stone,  and  we  were 
impressed  with  the  sentiment  that  we  were  meetin*;-  in  the 
realm  where  sleeps  Thothmes.  The  monolith  hewn  into  his 
effio'v  seemed  to  be  scrutinizing  us,  and  seemed  to  demand, 
"  Whv  this  intrusion?"  We  modestly  assured  him  that  it 
was  onlv  the  jovous  meeting  of  comrades  from  America  :  he 
seemed  to  know  aliout  as  much  of  that  place  as  the  average 
living  Egyptian.  It  is  not  every  day  one  meets  a  comrade 
of  the  G.  A.  li.  in  Xubia ;  so  we  put  a  colon  to  gazing: — and 
withdrew  to  refreshment.  I  had  my  own  boat  near  by  on  the 
Nile — mv  house,  with  many  of  the  comforts,  and  some  more 
than  I  have  in  my  American  home.  We  had  no  electricity 
except  in  the  atmosphere,  though  I  often  had  lizards  in  my 
bed  at  night :  thev  were  beautiful  creatures,  yet  I  concluded 
to  dispense  ■with  them.  Kgypt — that  is,  those  pro^nnces  of  it 
floating  on  the  dahabeahs  of  winter  visitors — is  a  land  of  hos- 
pitality, so  that  when  we  came  aboard  there  was  no  necessity 
of  o-ivintj'  anv  special  connnands ;  mv  dragoman  and  the  ser- 
vants  knew  that  this  comrade  was  to  be  entertained;  and  he  ?rrt.s. 
As  we  neared  the  close  of  the  repast,  after  we  had  partaken  of 
several  beverages  (as  is  the  custom  on  these  floating  ])rovinces), 
Ave  drank  some  toasts,  and  I'm  not  sure  if  we  didn't  get  the 
regiments  mixed  somehoA^' ;  A\"e  were  so  glad  to  be  t\\o  ot  us 
that  we  doubled  things  up  a  little.  There  were  game  birds  of 
two  or  three  varieties  on  the  table,  of  my  own  .shooting, 
and  Barl>arv  dates.  Nobody  was  forgotten,  beginning  with 
George  G.  Meade  Post,  No.  1,  G.  A.  R.,  Philadelphia.  My 
comrade  was  a  passenger  on  a  steamboat  l}ing  near,  and  at 


ELEPHANTINE   ISLAND.  207 

evenin<T  he  was  forced  to  leave.  It  lias  been  my  pleasure  to 
meet  many  comrades  of  the  G.  A.  R.  in  various  covmtries  of 
Europe.  

We  are  now  descending  the  Nile  ;  he}-ond  Dakkeh  there  is 
another  temple  similar  to  Aboo-Simbel — Gerf-Hassayn — only 
Gerf  has  a  portico  or  area  Ijuilt  in  front  of  the  rock-excava- 
tion: it  was  the  abode  of  the  deity  Pthali.  "the  Lord  of  truth;" 
here,  as  at  Aboo-Simbel,  there  are  great  sitting  figures. 

After  some  hunting  and  shooting  of  crocodiles  from  sand- 
forts  which  we  built  on  the  bars,  we  arrived  again  at  the 
cataract,  this  time  to  descend,  which  we  accomplished  with 
an  additional  force  of  two  pilots  and  their  assistants :  a  course 
has  been  hewn  through  the  rocks  and  Ijoulders  on  the  eastern 
shore.  The  descent  is  exciting  and  considered  dangerous : 
many  families  disembark  and  go  around  and  down  l)y  land ; 
we  decided  to  see  it  all.  There  was  much  to  see  and  hear 
from  our  old  screaming  friends  as  we  plunged  at  fearful  rate 
through  and  with  the  terrific  torrent:  '\\ith  the  aid  of  many 
pravers  and  ejaculations  to  their  Prophet,  and  close  attention 
to  the  helm,  of  equal  importance,  we  arrived  at  the  still-Avater 
level  below,  mooring  at  the  Elephantine  Island.  After  view- 
ino-  the  o-ranite  arch  of  Alexander  and  a  temi)le  ancientlv  used 
in  the  worship  of  Chnubis,  a  patron  deity  of  the  cataract  and 
of  inundations,  we  rested  at  Assotian,  and  continued  our  voy- 
age down  the  river  to  the  north,  stopping  at  Kom  (3mbo  for 
the  temple  of  Ptolemy  Philometor ;  to  Silsileh,  with  its  ancient 
quan-ies  and  grottoes ;  to  Edfoo,  tlie  ancient  Apollinopolis 
Magna ;  here  again  remained  two  days  stud}'ing  the  temple, 
in  my  estimation  one  of  the  most  important  in  Eg}-pt.  Seeing 
Edfoo  and  the  temple  of  Osiris  at  Abydus  and  Denderah  with 


208  REMINISCENCES   OF  TRAVELS. 

their  miles  of  intaglios  was  deeply  interesting.  In  tact,  what  is 
Egypt!  An  albnni  of  indelible  inscriptions  recording  the  biog- 
raphy, and  the  religious  and  secular  history  of  dynasties  whose 
sovereigns  have  slept  already  for  thousands  of  years — open 
volumes  of  records  graven  upon  shrines  that  have  endmvd 
through  ages,  whose  artists  basked  in  Egypt's  generous  sun 
long-  before  the  revelation  of  Christ. 


Now  returned  to  Karnak  and  Thebes,  our  l)oat  in  camp 
attire,  we  emplo}'ed  much  of  our  time  in  exploration  of  the 
Tombs  of  the  Kings,  the  most  complete  storehouses  of  ancient 
Egyptian  mural  paintings  and  galleries  of  sculpture  in  all  the 
land.  Not  to  inform  the  reader,  but  to  give  facts,  these  tombs 
were  hidden  dee])  in  ravines,  and  are  even  now  difficult  of 
access :  one  enters  by  a  talus,  a  gradual  walled  descent,  and 
in  many  instances  by  steep  stairw^ays  froin  twenty  to  thirty 
feet  in  length,  which  conduct  to  passages  diverging  and  lead- 
ing in  various  directions  to  the  mortuary  chambers.  The  walls 
of  both  corridors  and  compartments  are  decorated  with  })aint- 
ings  of  processions,  representations  of  mechanical  operations ; 
even  all  that  pertained  to  the  culinary  service  and  science  of 
a  kitchen  is  there  delineated — the  preparation  of  the  viands, 
the  making  of  bread;  warriors  and  all  their  accoutrements; 
barges  or  canoes,  the  sailors,  the  cordage  and  ajijiliances  for 
putting  the  same  in  sailing  onh-r;  household  furniture  and 
objects  of  luxury;  baskets  of  fruits;  animals,  beasts  of  burden, 
birds  and  domestic  fowls ;  royal  personages,  official  recejitions, 
allocutions,  and  invocations  from  potentates  and  by  plebeians ; 
innumerable  divinities — Osiris,  Athoi*,  Horus,  Isis,  Pthali,  Anu- 
bis,  etc.,  to  whom  e\ery  class  of  mortality  are  appealing  and 


TOMBS    OF   THE  KIXGS. 


213 


making  salutations.  A  peculiar  featuiv  of  these  drawing's  is 
that  the}'  are  almost  always  in  profile.  Is  it  not  signiticant 
that  although  these  di<>nitaries  were  hiilden  awav  in  the  rockv 
depth.s  and  sealed  in  sucli  massive  masonry,  thev  have  long 
since  been  found  and  ruthlesslv  removed  from  their  rov.d  rest- 
ing-places,  and  the  gems  and  scarabei  which  thev  had  thought 
to  present  on  an-iAing  at  the  portal  of  Paradise  are  long  since 
scattered  over  the  museums  of  the  world  .' 

Several  visits  of  adieu  to  Karnak,  and  again  we  floated 
on  our  wav.  Passing  Keneh,  I  waved  a  kind  thought  to  my 
ceramic  friend,  and  took  a  glimpse  at  Denderali's  temple  stand- 
ing out  against  the  i)ahn  trees  and  the  bright  horizon.  Below 
Girgeh  went  ashore,  and  al)Out  half  a  mile  back  from  the 
Nile  ascended  some  steep  rocks  prospecting,  and  was  finally 
rewarded,  for  on  making  an  aperture  in  some  loose  debris  of 
limestone  lai-ge  enough  to  permit  me  to  enter  some  tombs, 
among  the  ashes  and  remains,  with  the  aid  of  my  pocket 
wax-lio-ht,  I  foimd  a  necklace  and  several  vitrified  fiy-ures, 
which  are  esteemed  by  me  as  more  interesting  than  if  I  had 
bought  them.    • 

Alternate  breeze  and  calm,  with  ^•isits  to  the  pyramids  at 
Dabshoor,  Sakkara,  Aboo-Seer,  Aboo-Roash,  and  the  great  one 
at  Geezeh,  and  soon  our  lateen  sail  was  hauled  down  at 
Bonlak  and  we  were  aji'ain  in  Cairo. 


CAIPtO-THE    BAZAARS. 


Once  more  in  tlie  great  city,  where  costume  more  varied 
tliuu  ill  the  provinces,  quaint  manners  and  customs,  attractive 
displays  of  merchandise,  aiTest  the  eye  of  all  w  lio  walk  abroad. 
To  me  the  most  pleasing  and  ciirioiis  are  those  shops  without 
windows  or  doors,  those  myriad  scenes  in  (Oriental  bazaars, 
each  avemie  narrow  and  the  way  throughout  them  often  tor- 
tuous, gaiidy  in  color  and  decoration,  peopled  with  strangely- 
clothed  beings — a  great  cycloramic  picture,  beholding  which 
I  am  bewildered,  forgetting  that  it  is  I  who  am  progressing.  I 
seem  to  see  it  all  pass  before  me  as  a  dream,  a  vast  pictiu'e  in 
colors,  studded  with  strange  yet  familiar  figoires.  Am  I  not 
with  Aladdin?  I  breathe  and  see  a  peculiar  atmosphere  \\irliin 
the  bazaars,  where  many  nargilehs  add  their  odorous  fumes 
to  the  dim  hazv  li^ht.  The  direct  rays  of  the  sun  are  inter- 
cepted  Ijy  large  screens  of  India  matting,  wliich  are  strung 
across  from  w(K)den  frames  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet  above, 
which  re-echo  tlie  cries  of  camel-drivers,  donkey-boys,  run- 
ning auctioneers,  itinerant  venders  of  pottery,  and  the  unintel- 
lio'ible  remonstrances  of  animals  beino:  urwd  to  advance  when 
the  way  is  too  thronged.  I  see  many  A\aking  sleepers :  Abou 
Hassan  has  silks,  end)roidered  cloths,  kufiyehs ;  he  seems  ever 
attending  the  famous  merchant  of  Moussul — not.  to  entertain 
him  nor  to  l)id  him  sup  witli  him  as  of  yore,  Init  to  secm^e  his 
share  in  the  purchases  to  be  made  of  silks  and  tissue  and  cloths 
of  gold.  Others,  like  Sultan  Zeyn,  dreaming  so  deejdy  they 
scarcely  seem    conscious    of  the    turmoil    or  of   the    din    and 


211 


CAIRO— THE   BAZAARS.  215 

bustle  of  the  throng-.  In  an  hour's  ranihU'  one  meets  Haroun 
el  Raschid,  his  viziers,  and  liis  attendants ;  all  the  Oriental 
myths  I  have  known  in  story  greet  me  or  elbow  me  in  this 
heterogeneous  assemblage.  Rich  dealers,  struggling  trades- 
men, and  indigent  hawkers,  many  old  friends  of  whose  doings 
and  sayings  Ave  have  read,  are  here ;  I  see  them  living  and 
moving;  I  hear  tln^r  voices,  and  recognize  Ala<ldin,  Doubau 
the  Fisherman,  and  Sindbad  the  Sailor.  Sindbad  on  land  is 
easily  recognized :  you'll  find  him  on  a  donkey  in  the  bazaar, 
for  whenever  he  comes  from  a  cruise  at  sea  the  height  of  his 
ambition  is  to  be  in  the  saddle,  although  he  sits  less  at  his  ease 
than  when  astride  a  yard-arm. 

Many  of  these  shops  are  so  small  that  they  resemble  merely 
closets  without  doors ;  yet  all  are  attractive — even  the  Bab-in- 
Nasr,  where  second-hand  costumes  are  sold  at  auction :  it  is 
indeed  a  curious  lot  of  toggery  in  every  shade  anil  color,  for 
such  is  the  garb  of  many  classes  of  men,  especially  the  drago- 
mans and  men  in  public  occupations,  not  uniformed,  that  when 
some  of  them  have  presented  themselves  Ijefore  me  rig-ged 
out  in  their  best  on  a  fete-daj'  I  could  not  lielp  thinking  their 
make-up  ridicidous.  Imagine  an  emerald-green  vest  with  em- 
broidered red  buttons  and  full-riowiu"-  silk  sleeves  of  a  lig-hter 
tone,  with  pantaloons,  almost  skirts,  also  of  gaudy  color,  the 
turban  finished  off"  with  a  rich  golden-hued  kufiveh — all  such 
outfits  to  be  had  second-hand,  somewhat  subdued  in  tone  by 
age  and  service,  but  still  often  giving  the  wearer  the  look  of 
a  flamingo. 

About  noon  I  repair  to  the  thickest  of  the  tray.  It  seems 
more  and  more  a  dream  to  me,  my  transportation  is  so  com- 
plete: how  came  I  here?  I  hear  voices  not  speaking  to  me,  and 
now  one  Aladdin  fastens  his  Oriental  eyes  on  mine ;  he  addresses 


216 


REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 


me  with  an  Arabic  blessing,  liolding-  out  a  furi(^nslv  cliiselled 
lamp  to  me,  whose  flameless  wick  touclies  mv  hand.  I  am 
conscious  of  the  hurry  and  bustle  around  me,  am  ill  at  ease, 
yet  that  voice  holds  me  spellbound:  I  nuTst  yield  and  go 
nearer.  He  has  divined  the  object  of  my  search,  and,  beckon- 
ing me  to  stand  close,  he  opens  an  old  cofiPer,  like  a  tt)y  trunk, 
fashioned  with  curiously  endjossed  red,  yellow,  and  green 
leather,  studd(^d  with  silver  seals  and  ancient  coins.  He  bids 
me  look  within  :  we  bargain,  and  after  the  half  of  his  demands 
are  counted  on  a  tray  I  find  myself  rewarded  for  my  %'isit; 
and  to-dav,  when  regarding  those  scarabei,  that  talisman  and 
ring,  I  breathe  at  times  another  and  another  breath  of  thanks 
to  the  antiquary  of  Gohargyeh.     (See  No.  456,  Case  A  A.) 

I  did  not  weary,  thoitgh  you  may,  of  this  wonderland,  and 
witli  nn'  returning  steps  cast  manv  glances  at  those  within  the 
stalls,  heard  their  appeals  and  their  numberless  responses  and 
salutations. 

The  condjination  of  these  strange  sounds  was  to  me  a 
symphony :  though  retreating,  I  listened,  found  it  enchanting, 
soothing,  where  many  go  reluctantl}'  and  come  away  with  a 
sense  of  relief 


O 

c 


OUR    DAOUD. 


Alt.  this  time  I  was  accompanied  by  a  little  Nubian  l)oy 
■Nvlioni  we  bronyht  with  lis  from  Derr :  he  was  a  bright,  inter- 
estinof  little  fellow.  When  we  first  received  him  in  Xubia  he 
was,  like  his  companions,  as  he  had  come  into  tliis  beautiful 
world ;  nothing  superfluous  there  save  a  twisted  silver  ring- 
on  his  thumb.  My  wife  soon  had  two  shirts  (himces  in  Arabic) 
of  thick  cotton  cloth  made  for  him,  covering  him  from  chin  to 
heels ;  an  emma,  a  warp  of  snowy-^^•hite  porous  nuislin  coiled 
around  a  red  skull-cap,  turbaned  his  head,  crowning  a  brow 
Avhich  mantled  a  sweet  loving  face,  and  completed  the  picture 
of  our  Daoud.  No,  not  quite  completed,  for  the  life  of  that 
little  being  of  the  desert  shone  out  of  two  bright  gems,  those 
earnest  eyes,  which  as  thev  turned  from  one  marvel  after 
another  in  the  new  \\orld  would  ever  find  a  moment  to  rest 
on  mine,  saying,  "Thanks,  kind  master;  may  Allah  protect 
thee !" 

It  was  very  amusing  to  see  his  joy  and  pride  in  being  so 
an-aved :  he  was  so  intelligent  that,  having  studied  the  Arabic 
lano'uao'e  with  a  French  method,  I  learned  daily  by  his  chat- 
tering  lessons  to  speak  more  fluently.  He  had  winning  ways, 
a  lovelv  character:  his  attention  and  appreciation  were  remark- 
able when  being  instructed  and  entertain('<l ;  his  gratitude  was 
shown  bv  the  tender  gaze  with  wliich,  without  words,  he 
eloquently  said,  "  How  I  thank  you,  fair  Sittah  !"  when  look- 
ino-  into  mv  wife's  fiice,  with  whom  lie  was  at  all  times  when 
in  mv  absence  he  was  needt-d  as  a  companion.     When  walking 


2iy 


220  REMIXISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS!. 

on  some  camel-patli  beside  a  grove  of  date-ljearing  palm  ti-ees 
liis  quick  perception  and  ol)servation  of  all  that  wa  enconntered 
was  proved  by  one  negative  action.  We  say  "  negative,"  be- 
cause, inasmuch  as  he  sought  to  call  our  attention  to  all  that 
was  lovely  and  bright  and  interesting  and  beautiful,  and  said, 
"Shouf  sittah!  shouf  sittah !"  ("  8ee,  dear  lady— see.  Lady 
Sonnnerville,  that  is  all  for  you"),  so  he  forbade  by  a  gesture 
the  obser^-ation  of  what  was  ugly,  uncomely,  and  disagreeable 
in  nature  or  in  the  mien  or  persons  of  the  withered  and  de- 
formed who  crossed  our  path  or  would  have  ])assed  into  oiir 
view  had  his  precaution  not  intercepted  all  such  sights  when 
possible.  On  meeting  a  squalid  woman  \^ith  little  costume 
other  than  her  greasy  braided  hair,  up  would  go  his  little 
bronzed  hands  and  turn  my  ^^•ife's  face  gently  in  another 
direction  :  so  pure  was  the  sentiment  that  we  always  respected 
these  his  mandates,  and  looked  the  way  he  bade  us  to.  Must 
I  confess  ?  Yes,  I  sometimes  peeped  a  little  on  sixch  occasions, 
for  all  curiosity  is  not  centred  in  woman  ;  man  cannot  help  it ; 
he  looks  at  times  at  objects  and  scenes  when  perhaps  for  his 
peace  of  mind  it  would  have  l)een  better  had  a  little  mentor 
like  unto  our  Daoud  turned  his  eyes  and  thoughts  to  light  and 
goodness  and  purity. 

Monuments  have  lieen  forgotten,  witty  words  of  friends 
■who  often  enriched  those  days  cannot  now  be  recalled,  but  the 
charming  traits  of  our  Daond  are  as  the  limpid  Huid  in  a  road- 
side spring ;  with  winter  or  with  drought  it  lua}'  subside,  retire 
from  view ;  there  are  times  each  year  when  it  wells  up  and 
comes  again  in  all  its  beauty  and  force.  We  have  learned 
much  from  books  and  from  our  jjastors,  liut  in  my  storehouse 
are  garnered  sermons  preached  in  simplicity  by  that  little  out- 
cast Nubian  bov.     When  1  sought  to  shoot  the  running,  leap- 


H 
H 


O 


OVR    DAOUD.  223 

ins:  came  or  l)rouolit  with  well-aimed  shot  o-inn-eah  or  becassine 
to  ground,  he  screamed  with  jdeasure  and  approval,  "Amelican, 
tyeeb,  tyeeb  kateer;"  but  when  with  pencil  and  note-book  I 
registered  some  interesting  cartouch  inscription,  hearing  a  sigh 
from  him  and  looking  at  his  lowered  brow,  1  knew,  I  read  there, 
a  kind  of  wonder  that  spoke  disparagement  of  my  occupa- 
tion :  he  seemed  to  say,  "  How  can  yon  Avaste  your  time  on 
these  carved  stones  ?  I've  seen  them  from  my  birtli,  yet  have 
they  never  spoken  to  me  as  do  the  flowers  and  birds.  Come, 
let  us  to  the  verdant  spots  by  water  that  we  may  live  our  lives : 
master,  hhoiiaf/ch,  come,  that  we  may  l)e  happy." 

Often  I  would  close  my  interesting  work  and  go  to  live 
■with  my  dark  companion,  AA'hose  darker  eyes  and  younger 
vision  would  ever  find  among  the  niins  and  the  sand  the 
fairest  pebbles  of  precious  .sard,  just  the  material  a  lapidary 
pi-efers  to  grave  his  seals. 

When  our  dahabeah  was  moored  near  the  shallow  water 
with  a  plank  leading  to  the  bank,  he  would  improve  such 
occasions  at  intervals  by  going  to  the  shore  and  washing  his 
change  of  garments,  and  there  iipon  his  knees  in  some  little 
cove  he'd  work  industriously  washing  out  the  dust  from  his 
kamees,  striving  to  make  it  as  clean  as  his  little  guileless 
heart;  then  he  would  give  one  look  at  the  garment  and  one 
look  at  the  soap  and  the  water,  and  then  two  loving  glances 
at  us  to  know  if  we  were  still  there,  and  ever  so  until,  tlie  work 
accomplished,  losing  not  another  moiuent,  he  skipped  aboard, 
as  he  would  sav,  to  learn  something  from  the  Sittah,  but  as 
we  felt  to  gladden  our  day.  He  could  correct  us  at  times  or 
inform  us.  AVhen  we  were  showing  hini  some  illustrated  book 
or  journal,  the  pictures  were  all  right  and  he  had  much  to 
say  about  them;  but  the  printed  letters,  they  were  wrong — 


224  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

"  Mafish  tyeeb" — and  tluMi  he  would  take  liis  pointed  bnndjoo 
pen  and  on  a  i)aper  block  he  would  make  Arabic  characters, 
just  such  as  a  snipe  makes  on  tlie  sandy  shore,  and  with 
knowing  look  he'd  explain  to  ns  that  they  were  something 
intelligible.  He  ignored  the  necessity  of  his  learning  our 
language,  but  felt  that  to  perfect  the  medium  of  understand- 
ing between  my  wife  and  him  she  should  lie  taught.  It  was 
amusing  to  see  him  by  the  hour  teaching  my  Avife  Arabic. 
She  woixld  touch  her  ears,  nose,  chin,  eyes,  hands,  and  other 
members  of  the  body  and  features ;  then  he  Avould  touch 
the  same  feature,  giving  tlie  Arabic  word.  One  day  my  Avife 
touched  a  fan ;  he  immediatel}'  pronounced  the  Avord  in 
Arabic,  and  AA-aited  for  my  AA'ife  to  repeat  it :  she  finding  it 
difficult,  said,  "  Brugaree-garugoo-garee."  It  Avould  have  done 
your  hearts  good  to  have  heard  the  shouts  and  peals  or  screams 
of  laughter  he  gaA-e  as  he  ran  out  of  the  salon  to  the  prom- 
enade deck  to  regain  his  equilibrium ;  and  such  scenes  Avere 
daily  on  that  floating  school-house. 

When  he  came  into  the  hotel  at  Caii-o,  the  first  great 
house  he  had  ever  seen,  and  AAlien  he  approached  the  mar- 
ble stairAvay,  he  looked  to  me  to  knoAV  AA'hat  that  might  be ; 
and  Avhen  I  .shoAved  him  hoAv  to  ascend,  and  in  my  room 
removed  from  safe-keeping  my  black  silk  hat  and  ])laced 
it  on  my  head,  his  eyes  opened  AA'ider  than  they  did  at 
the  Pyramids,  and  as  Ave  passed  through  the  bazaars  I 
frequently  noticed  that  he  looked  at  my  cylinder  hat,  and 
then  at  the  people  around  lis  to  see  if  they  too  Avere  ob- 
serA'ing  it. 

Thus  Ave  sauntered  for  hours  together  in  this  land  of 
marvels.  The  bazaars  Avere  greater  Avonders  to  his  }oung 
head    tlum    to    me,    for   this    was    his   first   life    in    the   great 


OUR    DAOUD. 


225 


citv.  We  were  miitually  vcvv  liappy.  With  pain  I  record 
his  early  loss,  for  when  withtiut  me  on  a  boat  he  fell  into  the 
Nile  and  was  dro%A'ned.  Good-bye  for  ever,  dear  Daoud! — 
no,  not  for  ever. 


15 


HAREM    LIFE. 


This  out-of-door  life  can  he  seen  l)y  any  one  who  makes 
the  journey  to  Cairo,  hut  there  are  ec^ually  interesting-  ])hases 
of  xVrah  hfe  in  the  private  families  which  are  inaccessihle. 

Just  here  an  oi)i)ortunity  presented  itself,  rarely  occurring 
to  an  American  or  European,  of  seeing-,  throug-li  the  eyes  of  a 
ladv,  the  interior  life  of  the  harem  of  a  rich  Arab  in  Cairo. 
The  lady's  husband,  who  held  a  consular  po.sition  in  anotlier 
countrA-,  had  repaired  to  Egypt  to  palliate  by  its  gentler  climate 
the  suffering-  caused  by  impaired  health.  They  had  the  entree 
and  acquaintance  of  a  circle  of  the  better  Egyptian  society, 
and  among  others  of  the  family  of  Ben  Sadi  Adouin,  who  sym- 
pathized with  tlie  ladv  in  all  those  trying  days.  In  the  course 
of  some  months  her  husband's  health  failed  and  he  died; 
the  second  morning-  of  her  widowhood  the  family  sent  a  press- 
ing invitation  for  her  to  come  and  spend  the  day  with  them 
during  the  embalmment  of  the  remains :  she  accepted  the 
veiy  opportune  and  kind  offer,  and  was  accompanied  in  their 
carriage  bv  a  eunuch,  a  strapping  large  black  fellow  over  six 
feet  in  height,  who  on  arriving  at  the  house  motioned  her  to 
sit  down  in  the  reception-i'oom,  and  -wlio  uidiu-ed  and  removed 
her  black  satin  boots,  placing-  instead  a  pair  of  blue  velvet 
slippers  embroidered  Avith  pearls.  She  was  then  received  by 
the  wives  of  the  harem,  three  in  number :  they  were  very  kind 
and  attentive:  one  of  the  tii'st  questions  they  asked  of  lier  Avas, 
"How  many  wives  had  your  husliand?"  "One,"  she  truthfully 
r('j)lied.      "Oh  how   sad!      What  a  pitv  !"  tliey  all  exclaimed; 


220 


HOUSE    OF    THE  HAREM. 


HAREM  LIFE.  229 

"vi)U  tlien  liave  no  one  wlio  can  properly  share  your  sorrow" 
and  comfort  you."  They  seemed  to  feel  niuih  more  under 
the  ciroumstanees  the  dutv  of  amusino-  her,  and  did  everything- 
in  their  power  to  divert  her  attention  from  the  sad  event.  A 
dwarf  lackey  now  brought  in  coffee,  sweet  cakes,  and  dry 
dates.  Thev  then  examined  all  her  clothing  minutely,  evin- 
cing curiositv  at  the  number  of  skirts,  and  displayed  their 
wardrobes  for  her  inspection,  begging  her  to  choose  a  costume 
as  a  souvenir;  wliich  she,  however,  declined,  though  she  has 
since  re^Tetted  it.  'rhe\"  exhibited  their  iewels,  sitting  on 
cushions  upon  Persian  rugs  before  mirrors  as  they  ari-ayed 
themselves  with  curiously-wrought  necklaces,  ear-rings,  and 
Oriental  tiaras  and  other  ornaments  for  the  hair;  their  hand- 
mirrors  were  of  ancient  polished  bronze  metal,  bordered  A\ith 
modern  frames  richly  enamelled. 

Wlion  the  voice  of  a  murieb  from  a  neighboring  minaret 
called  to  prayers,  they  all  retired  to  various  rooms  separated 
only  bv  Persian  portieres  from  the  divan  salon,  and  after  })er- 
formins'  their  ablutions  knelt,  and  Avith  the  Tisual  ritualistic 
genuflections  performed  their  devotions :  at  times  they  called 
her  to  see  some  passing  Oriental  scene  in  the  street  below ; 
tliis  was  onlv  to  be  observed  through  small  latticed  peeping- 
apertures  in  tlie  well-obscured  balcony  pecidiar  to  private 
houses  in  that  country.  ToAAard  evening  a  repast  was  served 
by  another  eunuch,  wIki  ])laeed  tlie  large  repousse  salver 
before  the  elder  wife :  it  an  as  well  i-harged  with  ^-iands,  fruits, 
and  liqueurs  of  mastic  and  arak.  The  wife  who  presided  at 
this  part  of  the  entertainment  proceeded  to  tear  a  savory  and 
tender  fowl  to  pieces  witli  lier  hands,  and  on  removing  morsels 
of  the  white  meat  she,  enveloping  them  in  rice,  raised  tliem 
to   the   mouth  of  mv  huK'  friend   and   fed   her  as   one  does  a 


230 


REMINISCENCED    OF    TRAVELS. 


loved  cliild.  Tlie  repast  was  followed  by  a  siesta,  oiip  of  the 
wives  fingering  a  species  of  mandolin  giving  sootliing  yet  at 
times  emotional  strains.  The  furniture  and  embellishment  of 
the  rooms  afforded  much  that  was  well  worth  seeing :  several 
etageres  in  red  and  iniH-\^-o()d  were  depositories  of  the  finest 
and  most  unique  Egvptian  antiquities — such  lironzes,  curious  in 
model  and  rich  in  patina,  as  can  be  seen  only  in  tlie  entailed 
possession  of  tlie  older  and  richer  Egyptian  families.  The 
cx)llection  of  scaral)ei  alone  was  marvellous ;  the  majority  of 
them  were  in  transparent  stones. 

The  day's  entertainment,  though  for  one  so  sad,  closed  by 
the  appearance  of  three  dancing-girls,  one  alternately  strum- 
ming on  a  rude  stringed  instrument  and  thrumming  a  tam- 
bourine:  we  were  afterward  ourselves  entertained  in  a  private 
house  with  a  like  performance.  Tliey  pressed  my  lady  friend 
to  guard  the  slippers  as  a  souvenir  of  their  hospitality,  which 
she  did:  at  evening  thev  sent  her  home  loaded  with  assurances 
of  blessing's  from  Allah  and  kind  wishes,  witli  Avliich  the  Arabic 
language  is  so  rejtlete. 


:■■.;'■■■'■    '.vlvvvl  IT^IWr 


o 


a 
E 

X 

■< 

X 

OS 

5 


fa 
c 


o 
o 

Bi 

o 

H 

w 
o 

w 

02 


WHIELI^'G    DERVISHES. 


Ox  mv  vetnni  to  Cairo  in  March,  1S70,  I  took  an  early 
occasion  to  luuit  out  Slu'ikli  Hajee  Hassan-el-Belett ;  as  it 
happened,  liis  Iji-otlier,  Haleel-el-Belett,  had  been  in  my  retinue 
several  months.  It  was  therefore  easily  an-anged,  and  early 
one  afternoon  I  went  with  Eunice  Ali,  my  dragoman,  to  Hel- 
meea  to  the  ancient  Persian  monastery'  of  Whirling  Dervishes 
to  seek  some  glyptic  enrichment  of  my  collection  from  the 
little  cabinet  of  Sheikh  Hassau-el-Belett,  as  Abd-el-Suliman 
had  directed  me  to  do  when  at  his  ostrich-feather  bazaar  in 
the  desert.  After  some  formalities  and  detention  I  was  shown 
into  the  presence  of  the  patriarchal  sheikh,  ^\ll(l  was  taking- 
coffee.  His  costume  was  unlike  that  of  the  rest  of  the  com- 
nnxnitv — a  large  and  amply-flowing  robe  of  some  cashmere 
material  in  faded  green  doubled  with  a  dark  thin  lining:  his 
taj  or  turban  of  the  same  color,  conical,  and  laid  in  ]jlaits ;  he 
had  a  chain  of  Oriental  metal  and  fabrication,  uu  which  was 
hung  an  oval  medal  which  he  told  me  he  had  procm-ed  from 
an  Indiaman  at  3Iecca. 

He  received  me  very  unostentatiously ;  indeed,  was  very 
friendly ;  nor  do  1  measure  liis  kind  attention  by  the  quality 
of  his  coffee,  Avhich  I  was  forced  to  quafi"  while  I  smoked  a 
chibouque  and  was  looking  over  the  room  loailed  everywhere 
with  antiquities:  l>ut  my  attention  was  chiefly  given  to  the 
sraudy  lizards,  which   iiLiAcd  at   hide-and-seek  on  the  variety 

'  Many    educated    Arabs    understand   llie    Pei-siau    language,    and    all    learned    Tniks 

speak    it. 

233 


234 


IiEMIXISCE^X'ES    OF    TRAVELS. 


(if  Cacttts  opniit'id  wliicli  gavniHlied  and  enlivened  four  deep- 
silled  windows.  I  observed  tlieiu  with  curiosity,  expecting  to 
see  some  injury  done  to  the  delicate  flowers ;  but,  though  sau- 
rian reptiles,  they  were  not  vandals ;  each  bud  and  blossom, 
those  altars  to  Flora,  were  sacredly  respected ;  though  at  times 


m 


%  ;rfi;p;p 


THE   patriarch's   CACTUS  AND   LIZAKDS. 

a  troop  of  five  or  six  would  gallop  over  tliein,  not  a  petal  fell, 
not  a  leaf  was  blemished.  Thev  revelled  in  tlie  perfume  of 
the  orchid-like  flowers,  though  \\hat  the}'  imljiljed  ^\as  imper- 
ceptible, so  redolent  was  the  air  \\  ith  their  fragrance,  Avliich 
sweetlv  jiervadcd   the   apartment.      The  bases  of   tlie  window- 


WHIRLIXG    DERVISHES.  235 

niches  were  arranged  with  a  good  disphiy  of  large  fragments 
of  minerals,  so  that  the  crevices  formed  hiding-places  and 
habitations  for  these  pretty  creatures.  Being  an  admirer  of 
either  kingdom,  I  was  trying  to  decide  which  merited  the 
crown — the  animal  was  so  gorgeons  in  his  attire,  so  vivacious, 
so  winning  hi  his  ways;  the  flower  so  gentle,  so  modest,  so 
beautiful,  its  odor  so  delicate,  so  enticing ;  and  this  helped  me 
in  mv  decision.  From  whence  this  odor?  Somethino-  wliis- 
pered,  through  the  smoke  rising  from  Hajee  el-Belett's  nar- 
gileh,  "It  comes  from  the  soul."  Then  rendered  I  this  verdict: 
"The  flower  is  the  fairer,  and  gossamer  shall  be  the  texture 
of  its  crown,  that  naught  may  Aveigh  upon  a  soul  with  such 
pure  emanations." 

The  sheikh,  who  had  been  busy  giraig  orders  and  receiv- 
ing j^apers  requiring  his  seal,  now  turned  to  me  with  a  sleepy 
countenance,  relieved  by  a  friendl}'  smile :  "  So  vou've  been 
jnaking  the  acquaintance  of  my  little  friends  ?  I  am  glad  to 
see  you  are  interested.  God  hath  taught  me  that  I  have  nnich 
to  leani  from  the  meanest  of  his  creatures.  We  dervishes 
are  so  shut  out  from  the  world  I  believe  we  are  not  under- 
stood nor  charitably  esteemed :  we  have  received  throuoh 
divine  revelation  instructions  to  follow  this  wav  to  the  pres- 
ence of  the  eternal  Master,  and,  though  many  of  the  pale- 
visaged  have  chosen  another  route,  the  flower  tells  me  we 
shall  meet  in  eternity.  Ilast  thou  ever  understood  true  char- 
ity ?     The  sentiment  I  have  breathed,  that  is  charity." 

After  listening  respectfully,  I  changed  the  conversation  In- 
asking  him  to  shoAV  me  ■\\hat  he  possessed  in  the  glyptic  art. 
lie  then  laiil  out  before  me  several  cabalistic  stones  eng-raved 
with  Gnostic  emblems,  and  two  not  engraved,  talismans  bound 
in  silver,   to  be  seen  in  n\\  collection  in  case  marked  Abys- 


2:36  EEMINISCENCEsS    OF  TRAVELS. 

siiiian.  I  hastened  soinewliat  this  piirchase,  for,  aUhough  it 
was  gratifying  to  my  curiosity  to  have  such  friendly  inter- 
course with  the  sheildi,  knowing  tlie  hoiu-  for  tlie  evening 
services  of  the  monastery  was  drawing  near,  I  was  desirous 
of  again  seeing  tlieir  remarkabhi  ])erformance.  Fortunately, 
mv  visit  being  accomplished,  the  sheikh  asked  me  to  attend 
divine  service:  having  accepted  his  kin<l  invitation,  he  sent  an 
acohte  to  jdace  me  in  the  gallery,  where  I  witnessed  the  cere- 
monv  of  this  peculiar  jwople,  which  is  performed  in  an  enclos- 
ure about  twenty-five  feet  in  diameter,  somewhat  resembling 
a  modern  city  circus-ring.  My  seat  in  the  gallery  was  opposite 
the  entrance  to  the  circle,  so  that  when  the  sheikh  with  two 
attendants  entered  and  slowly  settled  down  upon  his  Persian 
carpet,  he  was  directly  before  me ;  he  was  soon  followed  by 
the  dervishes  clad  in  long  felt  gowns  falling  in  folds  about 
their  ankles.  Each  saluted  the  patriarchal  sheikh  and  retired 
to  the  side  of  the  arena.  From  the  gallery  opposite  me  came 
strains  of  music  from  two  or  three  simple  instrmnents,  string, 
reed,  and  parchment,  reminding  me  of  Thebes,  Assouan,  and 
Wadee  Halfeh,  bnt  accompanied  by  a  devotional  song  of 
praise  to  the  ^Most  High.  After  a  prater  by  the  superior  and 
a  procession  several  times  around  the  enclosure,  one  after  an- 
other, silently  and  ovidentlv  devotionally,  the  dervishes  com- 
menced to  move  and  twirl  around  the  arena,  looking  at  no 
one.  They  gradually  worked  themselves  into  a  state  of  frenzy 
or  ecstasy  until  all  else  seemed  forgotten.  These  sincere  yet 
fanatic  devotees  seek  thus,  with  the  iidierent  desire  of  the 
human  race,  religious  consolation,  striving  for  the  peace  of 
the  soul,  as  thcv  ha\e  learned  from  Ibull  Arabi,  l)y  exciting 
their  whole  nervous  system  until  they  become  oblivious  to 
this    sinful    wuild    and    more    spiritually    ju-esent    with    Allah. 


WHIRLING    DERVISHES.  237 

Tliey  really  seem  in  their  ecstasy  to  be  holding-  communion 
with  hoi}'  spirits,  and  their  countenances  evince  a  sense  of 
the  foretaste  of  the  other,  better,  and  (>nl\-  life  Avorth  living, 
in  the  presence  of  Allah.  Their  bodies  are  now  whirling 
dizzily  liefore  us,  their  spirits  are  temporarily  transported. 
Eemember,  the  dervishes  are  monastic  Mahometans,  and, 
ridiculous  as  seem  these  their  forms  of  worship,  there  is 
nmch  in  their  religion  that  is  beautiful,  it  is  so  rich,  deep, 
even  sublime,  so  many  odes  of  adoration  to  their  and  our 
Divine  Master.  Think  of  their  many  titles  or  l)eautiful  names 
with  which  they  address  God,  ninetv-nine  in  rnunber,  and,  if 
we  add  one  not  included  in  the  Koran  list,  ''  1  am  that  God 
beyond  whom  there  is  no  other,"  ^  we  will  have  just  one  huiv 
di-ed  endeai-ing  appellations  in  their  rosary  alone ;  and  there 
are  myriads  more,  from  Allah,  God ;  Es  Salam,  the  SaAioiu- : 
El  Mutakebbir,  tlie  Giver  of  greatness ;  El  Bassit,  the  Re- 
joicer  of  hearts:  El  Mazill,  the  God  who  looks  down  on  all 
things;  Es  Semee,  the  Hearer;  El  Lateef,  the  Gracious;  El 
Mujeeb,  the  acceptor  of  prayers ;  El  Vedood,  the  Loving :  El 
Ka3'yoom,  the  Everlasting ;  to  Es  8aboor,  the  patient.  These 
few  illustrations  are  selected  from  their  replete  code  of  adora- 
tions ;  it  is  interesting  to  observe  how  devoutly  and  fre(piently 
they  employ  them,  continually  changing  the  form.  Five  times 
dailv  they  wash  and  pray:  I  have  had  them  for  months  in 
my  employ,  and  have  seen,  when  in  caravan-life,  and  when 
water  was  too  scarce  to  be  used  for  such  a  purpose,  many 
of  nn-  faithful  servants  employing  the  permitted  substitute 
for  water,  rubbing  their  arms  and  limbs  with  the  flat  l)asaltic 
stone  which  is  careful!}'  guarded  on  such  a  journey.  While 
making  these  reflections  I  had  for  some  moments  closed  mx 

'  J.  P.  Brown's  Oriental  Spirilucdism. 


238  REMINISCENCES   OF  TRAVELS 

eyes  uu  the  wliirliug  tiguix-s  before  me,  a  sin-Lt  wearying  to 
the  bram  if  ]on;^•  oljserved.  When  their  human  frames  could 
no  longer  support  this  exertion,  in  proportion  to  their  endur- 
ance one  after  another  gradually  subsided  from  this  state  of 
exaltation,  and,  sinking  to  the  ground  on  the  side  of  the  arena, 
seemed  in  silent  prayer  to  be  coranutning  w\x\i  the  Holy  Spirit, 
thus  brought  in  nearer  contact. 

In  an  hour  all  had  thus  accomplished  their  devotions,  and 
at  a  signal  given  by  the  superior  a  dooi'  was  opened  in  the 
side  of  the  arena  beneath  my  gallery,  and  soon  there  was 
enacted  a  ceremony  even  more  strange  than  what  we  had 
just  seen,  exhibiting  a  wonderful  phase  of  superstition  or 
perhaps  mind-power.  A  motley  groufj  of  picturesquely  cos- 
tumed men,  women,  and  cliildren  came  meekly  and  rever- 
ently within  the  enclosure ;  tlie  sick  and  halt  and  blind  were 
then  i)resented  one  at  a  time  before  the  patriarchal  sheikh, 
who  rose  and  pressed  his  thumbs  on  the  temples,  foreheads, 
eyes,  and  breasts  of  the  credulous  multitude,  after  which  as 
many  as  could  be  accommodated  were  laid  in  compact  rows 
on  sheepskins  before  the  carpet  of  the  sheikh,  who  then  \)yo- 
ceeded  to  walk  slowly  over  their  bodies,  passing  his  right  foot 
from  breast  to  feet  of  all  the  subjects,  who  afterward  rose 
seemingly  full  of  hope.  What  folly  to  be  wise !  The  at- 
tendant dervishes  then  l)rought  i)ackages  of  underclothing 
and  other  garments  before  the  patriarchal  sheikh,  who  patientlv 
opened  them  out  and  l)reathe(l  on  evei'\"  piece.  Such  Avere 
the  people,  I  said  to  myself,  who  felt  reliance  in  mystic  gems, 
and,  clutching  jny  talismans  safely  in  my  pocket,  I  turned  mv 
back  upon  the  holv  ])lace,  with  a  thought  of  gratitude  to  Abd- 
el-Suliman  who  in  the  oasis  in  the  desert  had  thought  to  pass 
me  on  to  this  patriarchal  sheikh. 


liiili"  i  -t  .11 


"If 


SUEZ    CANAL. 


241 


We  now  participated  or  assisted  at  several  festivals  and 
their  out-door-ceremonies,  when  I  again  saw  snake-charmers, 
story-tellers,  and  itinerant  fakirs  while  attending  the  completion 
of  my  camping  outtit  for  Syria,  which  for  sanitary  reasons  I  had 
ordered  to  be  made  of  entirely  new  material.  Quitting  now 
the  metropolis  of  the  land  of  the  Pharaohs,  I  too  left  uiv  bless- 
ing, ■\\-ith  a  praj'er  for  Egypt  that  God  may  }-et  exalt  this 
oppressed  people !  Our  course  was  across  the  desert  from 
Heliopolis  to  the  just-opened  Suez  Canal,  through  which  we 
passed. 


16 


SYRIA. 

From  Port  Said  T)y  Russian  steamer  to  Joppa,  at  iiKire 
than  a  mile  from  land  tlie  air  Avas  cliarged  with  the  delicious 
odor  of  the  orange-  and  lemon-hlossonis.  We  made  safelv 
in  a  small  boat  the  dangerous  passage  between  the  inner  rocks 
of  the  roadstead. 

"While  everything  was  being  put  in  order,  and  horses  and 
mules  procured,  v.e  lodged  in  an  old  h(itel  on  a  height  above 
the  house  of  Simon  the  Tanner.  The  iloorinq-  of  one  of  mv 
rooms  where  I  was  reading  Avas  settled,  leaving  an  aperture 
of  several  inches  below  the  surbase.  Several  times  during 
mv  stav  a  strange-looking  animal  entered  the  room  by  this 
crevice:  it  was  in  bod v  like  a  large  brownish-grav  toad,  witli 
a  shrivelled  ag-ed  face  almost  human,  or  at  least  with  tliose 
semi-human  featiu'es  often  seen  in  the  monkey  tribe.  Each 
time  he  sat  there  for  some  minutes  staring  at  me,  and  exam- 
ining me  with  a  look  that  seemed  to  say,  "And  who  are  you?" 
I  wonder  to  this  dav   aa'Iio  lie  was. 


Fhiall\-,  T  obtained  twelve  horses  and  miiles  to  carry  the 
camping  equipage.  To  have  fresh  saddle-horses  Avith  which 
to  change  in  case  of  fatigue  or  accident,  I  secured  several 
Persian  horses  and  three  grooms  of  the  same  nationality,  Avith 
all  of  AA'liom  I  was  A^ery  well  satisfied.  Riding  by  day  in 
sunshine  and  in  rain,  sleeping  at  night  in  tents,  on  to  Randeh 


242 


H 

SI 


c 


t3 


JERUSALEM.  245 

and  to  Bab  el-Wadi,  wliere  in  my  dining-room-tent  we  first  made 
the  acqnaintance  of  scorpions,  discovering-  two  of  these  Arach- 
nida  jumping-  behind  mv  camp-stool. 


The  third  day  we  pitched  onr  tents  npon  the  ]\rount  of 
Ohves  outside  Jerusalem.  This  ancient  city  has  often  Ijeen 
pictured  in  sacred  poetry  as  typical  of  the  throne  of  the 
Creator  and  Redeemer — heaven :  though  still  interesting-,  it  is 
far  from  being  Jerusalem  the  Golden ;  that  precious  quality 
has  been  alloyed.  Jasper  glows  not  now  upon  its  bulwarks, 
its  streets  blaze  not  with  emeralds,  no  longer  the  sardius  and 
the  topaz  there  unite  their  ravs,  nor  are  its  walls  crowned 
with  priceless  amethyst.  The  modern  Jerusalem  is  interesting 
in  its  ensemble :  even  had  it  not  the  imparalleled  attraction 
of  having  been  the  arena  of  frequent  scenes  in  our  Saviour's 
career  ou  earth,  and  so  closely  associated  with  his  final  suffer- 
ings  and  sacrifice,  yet  it  would  reasonably  rank  among  the 
most  beautifully  situated  and  curiously  constructed  walled 
cities  of  the  East,  located  on  a  series  of  undulating  hills, 
with  fortified  towers  wherever  these  spurs  cause  an  angle  in 
the   ramparts. 

For  entry  and  exit  to  the  city  its  walls  are  still  pierced 
by  five  gates ;  two  or  three  others,  the  Gate  of  Herod  and  the 
Eternal  Gate,  have  been  closed  during  the  past  century.  Some 
of  them,  especially  the  Golden  Gate,  have  ornamental  arches 
and  capped  columns.     Those  through  which  we  passed  on  the 


246  REMIXISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

occasion  of  mv  last  two  visits  were  the  Daiuiiscus  on  tlie  nortli, 
the  St.  Stephen's  on  the  east — wliich  we  nst'd  prin<-ipally,  being- 
encamped  \i\  tlie  Garden  of  Clethsemane — the  Africans  on  the 
south,  the  Zion  on  tlie  ridge  of  Zion,  and  tlie  Hebron  or  Yafa 
Gate  on  the  west.  There  is  also  one  interesting  old  gateway 
within  the  city ;  it  is  that  of  the  palace  of  the  Kniglits  of  St. 
John,  interesting  to  Crusaders  and  to  Knights  Templars  who 
have  perpetuated  tlie  order.  Baldwin  II.  also  founded  an 
asylum  of  Knights  Templars  in  part  of  the  Christian  Temjile 
of  the  Resurrection  built  on  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  Mosque 
el-Aksa.  There  are  sections  of  the  city,  beautiful  in  their  archi- 
tecture, naturally  Oriental  in  style — elevated  gardens,  owing 
to  the  undulating  character  of  the  ground  supported  by 
walls  and  terraced ;  surmounted  by  mosques  and  minarets 
with  glittering  metallic  roofs  and  brightly-colored  tiles,  en- 
riched bv  the  morning  sun  and  glowing-  with  the  reflection  of 
declining  day,  \\\X\i  the  mosque  of  Omar,  the  cathedral,  and 
Holy  Sepulchre,  Mahometanism  and  Christianity  alike  con- 
tributing to  the  beauty  and  intei-est  of  tlie  scene.  Few  g-ems 
could  be  found,  only  some  Crusaders'  rings  and  seals.  (See 
mv  collection.) 

Among  other  objects  visited  the  Rock  of  ^Moriah,  or  Jla- 
homet's  Rock,  which  is  said  to  l)e  suspended  in  air ;  the  Fran- 
ciscan monastery,  adjoining  the  Holy  Sepulchre ;  called  on 
the  superior,  with  whom  I  had  already  made  a  voyage  at  sea; 
found  him  very  hospitable ;  he  gave  me  a  relic  for  the  Bava- 
rian monk  my  friend  Arsacius.  A  small  company  of  us  then 
descended  with  lanterns  a  shaft  which  liad  been  sunk  by  an 
engineering  partv,  and  inspected  some  remains  of  the  foun- 
dation-stones of  Solomon's  temple;  I  brought  away  with  me 
some  specimens  of  the  stone  as  souvenirs,  fragments  of  which 


o 
o 
3 

o 


JERUSALEM.  249 

have  been  since  mounted  in  rings,  pins,  etc.  for  friends ;  tombs 
of  Hezekiali,  Jehoshaphat,  Absalom,  David,  etc. 

The  churches,  mosques,  and  ruins  witliiu  the  city  are  to 
some  extent  what  one  sees  in  otlier  Eastern  cities,  but  the 
population  is  so  heterogeneous  that  to  me  a  daily  stroll  to 
the  Joppa  Gate  Mas  my  greatest  pleasiu'e. 

In  ancient  Jerusalem  probably  the  chief  interest  was  cen- 
tred within  tlie  city,  the  temple,  and  its  market-places  and  the 
rendezvous  of  skilled  artisans.  To-day  a  sacred  halo  rests 
upon  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Sepidchre ;  ordinary'  sight-seers 
are  attracted  by  the  monuments,  costumes,  and  shops  of  the 
Mahometans  in  the  city ;  but  to  ray  taste  it  is  in  the  vicinity 
of  and  outside  the  Joppa  Gate  that  one  sees  the  most  interest- 
ing phases :  there  you  may  find  a  vestige  of  the  ancient  com- 
merce. In  old  times  the  merchants  came  from  Tyre  and  8idon 
and  the  delta  of  tlie  Nile:  now  the  venders  are  from  tlie 
vicinity,  but  the  buyers  are  from  every  nation  of  modern 
Europe ;  in  fact,  of  the  world.  True,  the  prevailing  language 
is  the  Arabic,  but  if  attention  is  paid  one  will  hear  a  large 
proportion  of  Russian,  German,  Greek,  English,  Italian  spoken, 
and  see  a  variety  of  people  even  of  the  very  country,  but  with 
the  diffei'ences  of  tribes — tall  of  stature  and  meagre,  short  and 
brawny,  fair  complexions  and  olive,  brown,  bronze,  and  black 
— all  jabbering-  together.  Of  all  picturesque  gatherings,  the 
Jerusalem  market  at  the  thresliold  of  the  Holy  City  is  to  me 
the  most  entertaining. 

And  now  the  general  routine  of  excursions  to  Jericho, 
crusliing-  myriads  of  locusts  on  the  way ;  the  Jordan,  Dead 
Sea,  where  are  found  some  ear-rings  in  bitumen  of  a  rude 
order  of  art,  etc.  etc.:  bv  hig-hwav  and  bvwav,  gTOves  and 
grottoes,   villages    and    towns,   we    turned  to  the   north,   ever 


250  JiEMI^^ISCEXCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

seekiiiff    material  for   the    structure   that   has   Ijeen   mv  hfe's 
labor. 


When  encamped  at  Nabulus  my  field  of  exploration  was 
indeed  a  curious  one — not  in  the  cases  or  on  the  shelves  of 
an  antiquar)''s  shop,  now  I  selected  the  objects  of  my  search 
on  the  heads,  necks,  and  arms  of  the  women  who  flocked  to 
mv  encampment.  It  is  said  that  many  of  these  women  carry 
thus  on  their  persons  all  the  dower  or  fortune  they  posses.s — 
old  silver  coins,  with  here  and  there  a  scarabeus  or  Assyrian 
seid — and  tliey  will  trade  this  dower,  hoping-  of  course  to  im- 
prove it.  Occasionally  they  will  cede  such  objects  if  offered 
something  of  g-reater  value  or  more  to  their  fancy :  one  should 
be  supplied  for  such  traffic  witli  gaudy  trinkets  in  real  gold  ; 
they  will  trv  it  with  their  teeth.  I  have  found  it  very  difficult 
to  bargain  witli  tliem.  (For  an  Assj-rian  cylinder  see  No.  402, 
Case  C  C.) 

The  servants  one  generally  has  on  the.se  expeditions  are 
often  very  civil  and  wonderfully  efficient.  At  the  close  of 
everv  evening's  dinner  Eunice  mv  dragoman  would  ask  it  the 
moment  was  ])ropitious  for  Haleel  my  cook  to  make  Ins  daily 
visit:  on  being  permitted  to  enter  Haleel  would  approach  with  a 
respectful  salaam  and  ask  how  we  were  pleased  with  the  menu 
and  its  service  :  "Hhoiiaffeh,  Entom  mahsout  eu-uahar-iJch  .*"'  ("  Is 
my  lord  content  to-day  !")  On  giving  him  a  smile  and  assur- 
ance of  our  satisfiiction,  he  woxdd  add  kind  wi.shes  for  the  wel- 
fare of  madame,  employing  expressions  in  which  the  Arabic 
language  is  so  replete,  and  then  lie  would  gracefully  retire, 
alwavs  keeping  us  in  view  until  he  Avas  without  the  tent ;  and 
this  ceremonv  closed  for  the  occasion.  The  stove  on  ^hich 
he  cooked  for  us  was  in  itself  a  curiosity.     It  was  simpl}-  l)ut 


13 


O 
O 


z 

a 
a 

G 


B 
?0 


O 


NAZARETH.  255 

ingeniously  made  of  slieet  iron  in  the  form  of  a  cylinder, 
perforated  with  many  holes,  and  was  supjiorted  when  in  use 
by  a  pliant  X — X  trestle ;  thus  plenty  of  draft  could  be  had 
by  the  aid  of  a  ])ahn-leaf  fan,  and  it  was  readily  packed  on  a 
mule  with  other  kitchen  utensils. 


At  Nazareth  a  young  girl,  with  the  usual  counsel  of  several 
bystanders,  at  first  demanded  in  exchange  for  a  gem,  a  diamond 
ring  from  my  wife's  finger,  but  I  obtained  it  finally  for  gold. 
So  also  I  visited  the  tresses  of  swarthy  maidens  on  the  shores 
of  the  Sea  of  Galilee  and  of  the  curly-locked  Tiberians  at  the 
village  beside  the  lake.  (See  Xo.  562,  Case  H  H ;  see  also 
plaster  impression  of  each  side.) 

While  crossing  the  moimtainous  country  beyond  Tiberias 
in  a  narrow  defile  A\e  saw  many  thistles.  Ali,  the  Persian 
attendant  whom  I  em]:)loyed  to  l)e  alwavs  beside  my  wife 
when  she  was  in  the  saddle,  would  reach  into  the  undergrowth 
and  pluck  several  stalks  at  a  time,  peel  them  and  ofter  them 
to  us,  instructing  us  to  alisorb  the  juice ;  the  cool  and  refresh- 
ing draught  was  delicious.  There  are  quite  a  munljer  of  way- 
side plants  grc^wn  and  used  as  salads  which  in  America,  though 
growing  plentifulh',  are  comparatively  unkno\^■n. 

We  now  descended  into  the  plain,  visited  Joseph's  Well, 
Safed,  Meis  el-Jebel,  Tell  el-Kady,  Banias  with  its  peculiar 
architecture :  the  huts  of  the  agricultural  po])ulation  have 
nearly  all  of  them  a  lookout,  a  room  built  upon  four  beams 
towering  above  the  house,  so  that  a  ">\atch  ma}'  be  kept  on 
the  immense  fields  of  lentils  and  beans. 

At  the  sources  of  the  Jordan,  at  Kefr  Hauwar,  our  encamp- 
ment was  beautifulh'  situated  in  a  g-len  Ija'  the  brook  and  shel- 


256 


REMTXISCEXCES    OF    TRAVELS. 


tered  from  tlie  great  winds  from  snow-clad  3Ioimt  Hermon ; 
sweet  sleep,  perfect  rest,  with  morning  snn,  wakened  by  the 
cuckoo's  plaintive  note.  As  we  journeyed  north  the  out- 
standing- sentinels  prepared  my  vision  for  the  grander  sight : 
I  looked  up  and  beyond  the  morning  haze,  convinced  that 
God  hath  made  all  things  well.  Though  at  last  gazing  in 
reality  upon  the  great  mountain,  I  saw  through  fancy's  lens 
the  hoaiy  head  of  Hermon,  the  "white-haired,  unapproach- 
able," set  as  a  gem  against  that  azure  Syrian  sky,  and  invol- 
untarily said,  "  Tliou  art  mine  to-day,  and  thou  shalt  be  mine 
for  ever  in  the  cabinet  of  my  recollections." 


DAMASCUS. 


Noonday  of  the  morrow  our  tents  were  moored  in  the 
garden  of  a  private  estate  in  Damascus.  ]My  route-dragoman, 
Ah  (whom  I  had  brouglit  with  me  in  addition  to  Elunice),  had 
arranged  bv  jxist  in  advance  for  tliis  ground  Iving  between 
the  rivers  Al)ana'  and  Pharpar.  The  mule-drivers  Avith  our 
camp-higgage  alwavs  preceded  us,  and  by  rougher  though 
more  dhect  paths  reached  our  destination,  and  had  e\"erA- 
thing  set  in  readiness  for  our  arrival.  The  cook  even  always 
had  his  fire  ready.  And  so  we  lost  no  time  on  arriving  in 
Damascus:  after  a  lunch  of  red-legged  jmrtridgcs  which 
abound  in  Syria,  with  Avater-cresses  from  the  cool  spring  of 
Ed  du-Iveh,  with  biscuits  and  pistachio-nuts.  Ave  proceeded 
to  mingle  Avitli  the  throngs  of  this  truly  Oriental  city,  peer- 
ing into  their  mosques,  and  inevitably  led  by  the  multitude 
into  the  great  baza^irs,  Avhere,  lingering  inA^oluntarily  for  hours, 
Ave  shopped  and  visited  the  various  artiticers  and  ti-adesmen, 
the  Avorkers  in  bronze  and  the  shops  of  the  noisy  copper- 
smiths, Avhere  are  dispLiAed  those  richly-hammered  decora- 
tions on  CAvers,  chalices,  boAA'ls,  and  trays.  Every  object,  if 
possible,  is  made  more  holy  by  sacred  inscriptions  in  raised 
letters,  generally  sentences  from  the  Koran.  Without  noticing 
Avhat  branch  of  trade  Ave  Avere  folloAving,  our  eyes  neA-er  Avea- 
ried  Avith  seeing  shaAvls,  embroideries,  costumes,  Damascus 
blades,  pearl-Avork,  amber  pipe-stems,  kufiyehs,  embroidered 
table-coA'ers,  abaAehs :  many  of  these  cloaks  ai-e  from  Bagdad ; 

'  ^ciw  called  Barrada. 


261 


262  REMINISCEXCES    OF    TL'AVELS. 

gaudy  scarfs  A\itli  long  tang-led  silk  tVingcs;  and  Joseph's 
jackets:  at  least,  they  have  not  t'e\V('r  cdlors;  innumerable 
objects  of  antiquity,  embracing  also  coins  and  engraved  gems. 
These  latter  being  paramount  with  me,  you  must  expect  me  to 
dwell   more  fully  on  that  feature  of  this  Oriental   Kermesse. 

Some  of  the  most  peculiar  dealers  in  anticpie  gems  are 
perhaps  the  hajees  in  the  bazaars  of  Damascus:  these  men 
have  made  ])ilgrimages,  more  ^\ith  a  view  of  commerce  than 
of  beneiiting  their  souls.  That  was  not  a  question  of  much 
import  to  me :  I  sought  to  enrich  my  cabinet,  to  accomplish 
which  -with  a  travelled  x\rab,  at  any  figure  short  of  exhorbit- 
ance,  requires  some  study  of  their  character  and  experience 
in  their  manner  of  dealing.  In  many  instances  they  did  not 
conceal  their  satisfaction  in  receiving  my  Indlion  for  their 
gems,  vet  I  estimate  mv  pleasure  in  many  of  these  acquisi- 
tions to  have  been  greater  than  theirs.  (See  No.  404,  Case 
X;  No.  505,  Case  DD.) 

During  oiu-  stay  we  one  day  received  an  invitation  from 
Effendi  Ambia,  the  wealthy  proprietor  of  our  cam})ing-ground, 
to  visit  his  estaljlishment  in  his  private  ptdace,  ^^  liich  archi- 
tecturally resembled  such  villas  as  one  sees  in  Pompeii,  every 
part  arranged  on  the  ground-floor,  where  one  could  be  at  his 
ease  during  the  great  heat  A\'hicli  prevails  the  greater  part  of 
tlie  year.  The  furnitin-e  A\as  Arabesque  and  Grecian  in  style, 
the  centre  saloon  luning  a  pictui-esqu<'  fountain  \\hose  watei's 
fell  into  a  large  white  limestone  basin,  constantly  nourishing 
beautiful  plants  that  spread  their  fragrant  l)lossoms  on  the  cool- 
ing water,  A\'hich  mirrored  the  gorgeous  plumage  of  several 
tropical  l)ii-ds,  which  as  they  fluttered  over  its  lin^pid  surface 
sang  to  those  sweet  flowers  hymns  of  })leasui-e  and  of  grati- 
tude :  in  this  sentiment  we  joined  them,  and  after  viewing  the 


DAMASCUS. 


263 


rare  family  collection  of  arabesque  silverware  and  chalices  in 
amber  and  ag-ate  and  bronze,  with  many  sincere  expressions 
of  our  appreciation  we  withdrew  to  our  simpler  temporary 
abode. 


IMy  pursuit  has  at  times  been  like  to  that  of  an  explorer 
crossing  a  great  continent  through  territory  until  now  un- 
known or  even  unljroken  by  the  iron  way  of  civilization  :  he 
mnst  and  Avill  encounter  impediments  to  his  progress,  often 
those  broad,  shallow,  but  swiftly-rumiing  streams  Avliich  for- 
tunately provide  by  the  course  of  their  currents  a  passage- 
way of  ton-ent-wom  stones.  Once  started,  he  nuist  press  on 
from  one  foothold  to  another.  So  in  my  voyages  in  the  pursuit 
of  glyptic  acquisitions  I  never  seemed  to  have  arrived  at  the 
end  of  m}^  journey,  always  seeing  another  stone  beyond  me. 
The  enthusiasm  which  impels  a  collector  is  like  the  deceiving 
thirst  of  an  inebriate ;  each  draught  only  increases  the  desire 
for  another,  and  thus  urged  on  from  post  to  post,  changing 
scene,  climate,  and  nationalities,  ever  other  men  and  manners, 


on  we  must  go. 


''■''"'If": 


BAAL  BEG. 


Ttie  wooden  stag's  nre  once  more  withdrawn,  our  canvas 
lionie  rolled  up  and  consigned  to  the  mute  companions  of  my 
expedition ;  glad  to  progress,  yet  storing  to  the  last  kind 
memories  of  our  sojourn  on  the  banks  of  Abana  and  I'har- 
pai-,  we  depart  from  Damascus  ^\•ith  regret,  which  is  soon, 
however,  changed  to  new  pleasures  as  we  camp  beside  the 
Temple  of  the  8un  in  the  Acropolis  of  Baalbec  ■\\ithin  the 
cvflopean  wall — davs  of  wonder  again  as  we  view  these  tem- 
ples so  astonishing-  in  their  architecture  and  constructed  of 
such  enormous  monoliths,  artistically  chiselled  stones,  but  none 
for  mv  cabinet.  To  those  conversant  wdth  ancient  history  the 
siu'roundings  of  ever\'  fallen  column  where  Romans  held  sway 
give  mementoes  of  great  men  that  stood  there  in  their  day. 
Ruined  forums  and  temples  are  the  monuments  also  of  cruel 
actions:  though  these  walls  of  "the  Temple  of  the  Sun"  no 
longer  resound  with  the  deep  voices  of  those  who  there  per- 
formed the  ordinances,  they  silenth'  record  that  here  stood, 
before  Diocletian,  (ielasinus  the  ])oor  (*hristian  convert,  for- 
merly an  actor,  and  that  by  that  emperLir  s  order  he  was  there 
stoned  to  death. 

Here,  as  in  all  these  great  ruins  of  temples,  were  men  pass- 
ing in  and  out  of  the  otherwise  deserted  courts  or  loitering  by 
chiselled  monoliths,  pursuing  the  precarious  occupation  of  itin- 
ei'ant  antiquaries,  offering  for  sale  principally  Assyrian  seals, 
amulets,  and  ancient  coins. 

Other  days   of   desert  and   mountain-climbing  in  sunshine 


2()4 


GATE  OF  THE  TEMPLE  OF  THE  SUX,  BAALBEC. 


MOUNT   LEBANON.  267 

and  in  cliillino-  cloud,  tlic  Lebanon,  its  cedars,  snow;  sleeping 
in  a  wayside  stone  refuge  which  we  metamorphosed  into  a 
pahxce  ^^  itli  our  camp-furniture  and  Persian  carpets ;  tlie  final 
descent ;  the  freezing  haze  dissolving,  withdraws  the  curtain 
and  discloses  to  our  view  Beyrout  upon  the  sea,  and  on  that 
sea  we  tossed  to  Cyprus ;  and  from  its  salt  pyramids  set  out 
upon  our  way  toward  the  islands  of  the  ^Egean  Sea;  at  Ehodes 
another  day,  passing,  on  our  arri\al,  into  the  harhor  between 
the  two  great  pedestals  in  massive  masonrv  which  are  lielieved 
to  have  been  built  upon  the  original  foundations  of  the  ijreat 
Colossus. 

The  Colossus  of  Chares  was  seventy  cubits  high.  The 
Colossus  was  a  marvel  Iniilt  of  Ijronze  from  the  spoils  of 
Demetrius  Poliorcetes,  said  to  have  held  a  beacon-light  in  its 
hand  which  lighted  the  way  to  the  ships  which  ])assed  be- 
tween its  legs.  It  AAiis  thrown  down  by  an  earthquake  224 
B.  c,  and  it  is  Ixdieved  that  a  thousand  years  later  many  of 
its  fragments  were  recovered  and  again  melted  and  formed 
into  engines  of  war. 

Thence,  by  Patmos,  Samos,  and  Chios  to  Smyrna  in  Asia 
Minor,  with  its  bazaars  of  antiquities  and  of  slaves  (at  that 
time). 

While  at  its  shops  I  sought  some  of  its  renowned  fio-s, 
thinking  they  would  be  better  in  their  home,  bat  Avas  always 
answered,  "Our  best  have  been  exported  to  America  and 
En";land." 


r^t-'^'aV 


^£A:^i^:^^>::^^^^£^ 


ATHENS. 


Thexce  l)y  Syni  to  tliree-harborod  Pira?us,  the  water-portal 
of  Athens.  Ill  the  Aeropohs  at  xVtliens  I  a^'ain  experienced 
the  .same  regret  a.s  at  Baalbec :  the  Lirye  and  magnificent 
basso-rihevos  could  not  be  added  to  my  ca]>inet,  even  for  a 
consideration,  as  can  the  smaller  gems.  While  in  .Vthens  I 
was  ill  a  (|uaiidar\'  huw  to  economize  mv  time.  I  wanted  to 
be  uj),  and  would  be  down — that  is,  down  in  tlie  city  searching 
and  selecting  portable  sulijects — and  yet  conld  not  willingly 
separate  myself  from  the  stud^•  of  those  su}jerb  basso-rilievos 
on  the  white  slabs  above  in  the  Acropolis,  where  the  memory 
of  the  sleeping  masters  called  me  to  the  Parthenon,  once  the 
g-orgeons  throne,  now  the  desecrated  tomb,  of  the  chrysele- 
phantine goddess  Minerva.  Phidias  sleejjs  with  the  fruits  of 
his  lab(u-;  their  mingled  a.slies  beckonetl  me  to  the  sacred  site 

268 


> 

a 


c 


A  THENS.  275 

where  taste  and  love  of  art  chained  me  throu<ih  h^iifr  days  of 
tender  hght. 

Everv  ruin  still  beautiful  in  the  wreck  of  its  once  perfect 
art-decoration — the  Doric  teni2)le  of  Minerva,  the  Parthenon, 
the  Hecatompedon,  the  Ionic  temples  of  Erechtheus  and  Mi- 
nerva Polias,  the  cell  of  Pandrosos,  the  Doric  portiio  of  Augus- 
tus, the  octagon  Tower  of  the  Winds,  all  ridi  in  reliefs,  cap 
and  frieze,  architi'ave,  entablature,  pediment,  all  pictured ;  what 
myriads  of  nuises,  warriors  afoot  and  on  horse  and  in  chariots, 
armed  with  bows  and  spears  and  Vittamarian  mallets ;  striving 
men,  toiling  womeii ;  water-carriers  seeming  to  stagger  with 
their  load,  coming  through  twenty  centuries  bearing  their  am- 
phortE  on  their  shoulders,  arms  and  hands  guarding  tlie  equi- 
librium ;  sturd^'  and  agile  frames  partially  draped  in  mantles 
of  Athenian  mode,  falling  from  shoulder  and  from  cincture ; 
satyrs  and  n\-mphs,  centaurs  and  lapithte,  caryatides;  G^^dipus 
and  the  Sphinx;^  masks,  gorgon  and  scenic;  Bacchus  and 
his  tiger ;  Jupiter  Ammon  ;  Medusa  ;  adventures  with  tlie  Tyr- 
rhenian pirates ;  the  historic  procession  of  the  Panathenaea ; 
Apollo  with  harp  in  snow}-  marble,  who,  could  Galatea  give 
bi'eath  and  life,  would  touch  again  tliose  strings  and  music 
would  be  added  to  the  charm ;  children  bearing  fruits  and 
flowers  and  game ;  pastoral  scenes,  horned  c-attle,  Indls  and 
kine  with  their  attendants;  the  plumed  denizens  of  air  and 
tinny  ones  from   water,   dolphins  half  human. 

These  illustrations  are  given  on  the  accompanying  cuts,  with 
the  thouo-ht  that  l)asso-rilievos  designed  ami  chiselled  centuries 
before  the  Gra?co-Roman  epoch  Avere  often  the  models  for 
much  that  we  find  in  gem-engraving.  Those  also  (page  268) 
from  tlie  great  temple  at  Baalbec :  I  have  long  since  believed 

'.See  No.  SoS,  C:ise  B  B  B,  <3^ilipiis  ami  ilic  Si'liiii.x. 


276  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS 

that  some  of  the  o-em-masks,  bearded  and  scenic,  were  copied 
from  the  ornamentation  of  these  tempk-s.  There  certainly 
exist  triumphal  arelies  whose  pictm-ed  embellishments  were 
first  created  on  cameos. 

The  temple  of  Minerva  Parthenon  was  almost  entire  in  the 
time  of  the  3I(Mlici  family,  and  yet  in  one  century  vandalism 
reduced  it  to  its  present  condition:  in  the  last  two  centm'ies 
since  1686  almost  nothinfi'  has  been  injured,  but  much  has 
been  carried  off,  and  can  be  seen  and  studied  in  the  British 
Museum  and  at  the  Louvre  at  Paris.  Nature  has  added  some- 
thing- in  modern  times,  for  I  remarked  t\\o  large  nests  with 
storks,  a  bird  so  picturesque  Avhen  perched  on  his  temporary 
home. 

In  viewing  these  beautiful  edifices  so  richly  adorned  with 
basso-  and  alto-rilievos,  I  am  convinced  that  what  there  is  ad- 
mirable in  Roman  architecture  was  accom})lished  at  least 
with  the  counsel  and  aid  of  the  Greek  colonists,  the  pupils 
of  Phidias,  Callicrates,  Ictinus,  and  C'allimachus,^  also  the 
master-designers  and  descendants;  of  Alexander,  the  liberal 
patron  and  princely  builder  of  the  most  perfect  examples  of 
ancient  art  and  architecture.  If  so  beautiful  in  this  ruined 
condition,  what  nuist  they  have  been  in  the  day  of  their  full 
perfection ! 

As  they  were  at  the  time  of  my  visit,  tliey  seemed  to  speak 
to  me  and  plead  with  me  to  avail  myself  of  every  possible 
moment  to  cultivate  their  acquaintance,  to  study  their  sublime 
art-forms,  that  their  beauties  might  be  domiciled  in  my  memory, 
while  their  substance  was  daily  before  my  vision,  so  that  when 
time  and  oceans  should  divide  us  I  could  vividly  recall  them 
in  art-loving  recollections. 

1  Calllinacluis,  tlic-  iiiVL-iUur  of  the  Corintliian  column  (see  No.  691,  Case  P  P). 


A  TEENS. 


281 


While  in  the  Acropohs  looking-  on  these  miisterpieces  a 
consciousness  came  over  nie  that  I  was  Ijreathing:  the  atmo- 
sphere  of  their  creators — that  I  was  with  them,  held  converse 
with  them.  Look  at  the  antithesis :  below,  in  the  city,  I  ^Aas 
with  soulless  merchants  of  gems,  men  in  plaited  white  petti- 
coats, who  for  gold  would  part  Avith  such  cameos  and  in- 
taglios as  No.  1,'  Case  A;  Xo.  127,  Case  H;  Nos.  \)0\  and 
908,  Case  EEE;  No.  913,  Case  FFF;  No.  947,  Case 
H  H  H.  It  is  on  such  occasions,  if  ever,  one  feels  a  de- 
sire to  be  ubiquitous,  as  wdien  for  the  same  evening  hour 
at  times  we  are  invited  to  an  intellectual  entertainment  per- 
fectly in  accord  with  our  literary  tastes,  and  in  another  quarter 
to  a  dinner,  a  repast  of  meats.  Let  us  confess,  though  there  is 
a  stmggle,  Bacchiis  and  a  good  digestion  do  sometimes  win 
US  to  the  banquet. 

Adieu,  Hellenic  scenes !  Change — a  beautiful  sea  studded 
with  picturesque  islands  and  many  sails ;  the  Dardanelles  and 
]\Ln-inora   bring  us  to  the  altar-seat  of  the  3Ioslems. 

'  Xo.  1,  P.allas ;  Xo.  127,  .Jupiter,  Juno,  and  Minerva,  the  three  principal  divinities  of 
the  C'apitoliuni ;  Xo.  901,  an  indubitalile  specimen  of  tlie  workmanship  of  the  renowned 
Dioscorides;  Xo.  908,  Bereeyutia;  Xo.  913,  Ptolemy  Philadeli>hus  and  Arsiuoe;  Xo.  947, 
Diomedes. 


COlSrSTANTINOPLE. 


Coming  now  \\  itliin  the  Golden  Horn,  exchanging  tent-hfe 
and  saihng  npon  seas  for  a  comfortable  Turkish  hotel  (kept 
bv  a  Greek  and  an  Englislinian),  after  repose  and  reflections 
on  scenes  fading  in  the  soutli,  we  set  about  visiting  our  Turk- 
ish friends  and  tlieir  curious  city.  Sunshine  and  balmy  atmo- 
sphere made  my  walks  in  those  hilly  streets  and  byways  a 
pleasant  occupation :  it  was  amusing  for  a  while  when  my 
Avav  was  impeded  by  many  animals  reclining  just  where  one 
would  jjlace  his  feet,  but  as  it  was  a  custom  of  the  country 
I  soon  learned  to  respect  them  too,  and  joined  in  protecting 
them  bv  stejijiing  out  of  my  com-se  rather  than  obtrude, 
although  they  \\ere  almost  as  plenty  as  prayer-books  in  a 
parsonage.  I  join  a  numerous  corps  of  scribblers  by  thus 
chronicling  the  canine  feature  of  Constantinople.  fleeting 
them  harnessed  to  little  wagons  was  only  what  is  every\\here 
seen  in  German\-:  it  was  their  democratic  manner  which  im- 
pressed me  witli  tlie  tliought  that,  absolute  though  this  go\- 
ernment  may  be,  here  certainly  were  freedom  and  comfort  for 
a  race  I  have  loved  all  my  life,  and  among  whom  I  have 
found  uuniv  faithful  companions  and  examples  of  moral  cha- 
racter which  one  might  profitably  consider  and  imitate.  In 
making  this  tril)ute  to  the  canine  race  only  a  tithe  of  my 
indebtedness  is  being  discharged.  We  are  recompensed  by 
finding  the  multitude  of  human  beings  Ave  meet  more  con- 
siderate; they  are  of  smidry  nationalities  and  in  many  cos- 
tumes.    The  manners  of  the  Turks  are  characterized  b}-  greater 

2S2 


CONSTANTINOPLE.  283 

refinement  than  their  coreho-ioni.sts  of  the  Nile:  the^•  are  more 
conscientious  and  faithful  in  the  observance  of  their  rehgious 
ceremonies  and  duties ;  tliey  are  an  example  to  us,  and  are 
kind  and  dignified  in  their  manner  witJi   strangers. 

In  view  of  a  pecidiar  feature  of  construction  of  houses, 
Constantinople  might  be  known  as  the  citv  of  windows — win- 
dows out  of  which  gaze  a  retinue  of  servants,  each  one  of 
whom  will  inf(n-m  himself  of  your  character  before  he  will 
accept  a  position  in  yotir  household.  It  was  not  long  before 
Saint  Sopliia  loomed  up  before  us.  This  sacred  monument 
has  been  in  the  varied  phases  of  its  existence  the  wonder  of 
the  world  for  more  than  fifteen  centuries:  constructed  b^-  the 
labor  of  thousands  of  mechanics,  probably  no  sacred  edifice 
in  the  world  has  given  employment  to  so  vast  an  arm^-  of 
artificers;  many  of  its  precious  colunms  in  jasper,  basalt,  and 
other  hard  stones  were  contributed  Ijy  the  temples  of  Baalbec, 
Ephesus,  Egypt,  and  Greece. 

The  smoke  and  dust  and  grime  of  ages  ha^-e  mellowed 
what  was  glaring  in  parts  of  the  interior  decorations,  and  the 
harmony  thus  created  gives  to  its  sacred  precincts  a  grandeur 
\\liich  can  l>est  be  understood  by  a  thoroughlv  appreciative 
lover  of  ancient  art.  Its  nmown  and  those  qualities  Mhiuli 
sustain  its  celebrity  attracted  me  earlv  in  mv  vi.sit  and  ab- 
sorbed my  first  attention.  It  was  also  |)leasing  to  me  to 
observe  the  earnest  wor.shippers  coming  alone  and  in  groups 
ever  to  that  shrine  where  their  ancestors  had  so  often  pleaded 
with  the  Prophet,  and  who  had  bidden  them  follow  in  their 
steps.  Having  well  regarded  all  its  beauty  and  the  manv 
devotees  i)rostrate  on  their  straw  mats,  I  hurriedlv  left  others 
at  their  devotions,  and  strode  again  in  the  busy,  noisy 
streets. 


284  EEMIXISCEXCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

One  in  liis  walks  sees  many  I'elics  of  lirick  structiu-es 
erected  in  as  mam'  centuries,  each  liaving-  some  piece  of 
stone  with  a  distinctive  type  of  its  epoch,  some  of  them 
even  bearino-  frag-ments  of  termini  and  cohnnns  wliicli  were 
inscribed  and  once  fitted  for  hinds,  temples,  and  palaces  in 
empires  bvgone,  and  which  now  seem  to  have  reached  their 
final  resting-place. 

AVe  meet  also  a  class  of  beings — not  men — equally  pale 
and  corpulent  as  the  eunuchs  of  the  palace  of  the  king  of 
Babyhm/ 

We  soon  left  the  bright  day  again,  for  my  attendant,  Atanus, 
reminded  me  that  woidd  we  visit  the  Howling  Dervishes  we 
should  go  at  once,  tliat  we  might  have  time  for  making  some 
acquisitions  before  the  hour  of  prayer.  One  such  establish- 
ment resembles  ver}-  closely  another.  I  was  first  presented 
to  the  Sheikh  Abd-el-Salam-Feraga,  a  dignified  man  of  stately 
appearance,  whose  full  long  auburn  beard  almost  concealed  a 
fibula  curiously  wrought  in  silver  with  five  scarabei  forming 
a  Greek  cross :  he  replied  on  my  asking  its  origin  that  he  had 
found  it  in  Abyssinia  when  a  trader  in  tliat  country  and  before 
he  had  entered  this  order.  In  manv  DcrNisli  coinmunities  at 
the  time  of  initiation  all  metallic  substances  are  removed  from 
the  candidate,  yet  I  have  often  seen  the  sheikhs  with  some 
antique  ornament  on  the  breast  with  which  to  fasten  the  upper 
folds  of  the  ecclesiastical  garment.  Most  of  the  mystic  talis- 
mans in  his  possession  were  Mussulman  relics,  which  I  could 
not  prevail  on  him  to  part  with  even  for  shining  gold,  but  have 
always  rejoiced  in  two  acquisitions,  the  jasper  gem  No.  522, 
Case  E  E,  Artaxerxes,  with  Persian  incision  on  the  reverse, 
and  No.  573,  Case  II  II,  the  hematite  mystic  Abraxas  amulet, 

'  2  Kings  XX :  18. 


55 

O 


O 

o 


CONSTANTINOPLE.  287 

witli  l)otli  flat  and  convex  .sides,  cliarfiod  with  fine  work.  After 
some  further  attention.s  from  liim  he  left  me,  promising  to  send 
for  me  in  time  for  the  evening  service.  While  attending  his 
sumiiKius  I  walked  in  one  of  the  corridors,  on  who.se  walls 
were  attached  a  strange  collection  of  pictures — portraits  of 
past  sheikhs,  scenes  of  religious  ceremonies,  miraculous  cures, 
battles,  Avith  representations  of  heavenly  interposition,  tin-or- 
able  to  the  Mussulman  cause,  illuminated  ])orti(>ns  of  the 
Koran,  and  views  of  several  positions  of  the  celebrated  Rock 
of  ^loriah,  revered  by  Mussulmans  because  it  is  believed  that 
the  rock  they  exhibit  under  the  mosque  is  suspended  in  tlie 
air,  and  also  because  Mahomet  in  taking  pos.ses.sion  of  Jeru- 
salem built  over  it  the  Mosque  Kubbet  al-Sakhra,  "  The 
Dome  of  the  Rock;"  also  an  old  pahiting  of  the  miraculous 
transportation  of  the  Virgin  Mary's  house  to  Corfu,  afterward 
to  Loretto  (see  my  gem  No.  268,  Case  P);  and  on  either  side 
of  a  grilled  niche  containing  a  liurning  lamp  were  two  })ic- 
tures,  "The  Battle  of  Samarkand"  and  "The  Fall  of  the  White 
Bird "  (l)efore  the  capitulation  of  Samarkand,  Sheikh  Hassan 
Biihadiu'  saw  a  white  Ijird  fall  from  a  height  to  the  ground : 
this  was  believed  to  be  a  favorable  omen  for  the  JLussulman 
cause);  and  just  below  this  a  curious  religious  drawing  repre- 
senting a  special  breath  of  God  conveyed  to  the  Virgin  ]\Iary  : 
this  the  .source  of  her  concejjtion.  Thus  we  have  the  innnacu- 
late  conception,  from  Mussulman  origin,  centuries  before  the  edict 
of  the  Ecumenical  Council  of  Pius  IX.  While  thus  em[iloved 
I  was  accosted  by  a  dervish  wrapped  in  liis  outer  cloak,  one 
of  the  community :  our  recognition  Avas  simultaneous.  He 
was  Yusef  Suliman ;  we  journeyed  together  when  in  search 
of  gems.  I  had  made  one  of  my  most  strange  adventures, 
travelling   several  days  with   a  caravan   of   pilgrims  en  route 


288  REMINISCENCES   OF  TRAVELS. 

for  Mecca,  where  they  were  to  dehver  the  sacred  carpet. 
Many  of  the  parts  or  strips  of  this  covering  are  made  in 
Turkey,  and  after  being  completed  and  lined  in  the  suburbs 
of  Cairo,  the  carpet  is  dedicated,  and  delivered  with  great 
ceremony  to  the  pilgrims  who  escort  and  carry  it,  with  the 
greatest  pomp  and  pride,  on  the  pilgrimage.  He  remembered 
and  spoke  of  all  the  Arabs  I  had  known  at  that  time — one 
Shemshee  among  others,  who,  he  told  me,  had  returned  to 
Palmyi-a.  Shemshee  was  a  most  picturesqiie-looking  wan- 
derer, in  whose  make-up  nature  combined  largely  with  the 
odd  trappings  which  formed  his  outfit :  he  was  a  striking 
nomadic  character;  he  had  shown  me  on  the  desert  three 
gems  from  Palmyra — a  Sphinx,  a  mounted  warrior  with  Per- 
sian inscription,  and  a  horned  moufflon,  Persian  seal  (see  No. 
1382,  Case  S  S  S  S);  he  would  not  part  with  all  of  theiu,  how- 
ever, and  now  the  others  are  in  England.  Yusef's  loquacity 
was  evidence  of  his  pleasure  at  again  seeing  me ;  a  glance  at 
him  showed  me  he  had  been  advanced  in  the  fraternity  since 
our  last  meeting,  or  that  he  had  changed  to  another  order, 
for  now  he  was  fingering  a  full  rosary  of  ninety-nine  beads, 
the  number  of  the  divine  attributes  already  referred  to :  when 
last  I  saw  him  he  had  one  with  sixty-six.  From  time  to  time 
he  would  press  his  hand  upon  the  palenk  tucked  under  his 
girdle,  made  from  the  wool  of  his  initiatory  sheep,  expressing 
his  satisfaction  with  his  profession  and  resignation  to  privation, 
and  faith  in  Rooh  Ullah,  Christ,  as  an  intercessor.  He  ad- 
dressed me  as  Ya  Mahhboubi  (my  dear  friend),  and  I  profited 
by  the  opportunity  and  listened  attentively  to  all  he  told  me, 
his  saheh  (friend) — much  that  occurred  in  his  spiritual  history, 
even  his  initiation.  As  the  ]\Iooreed,  the  one  about  to  be 
received,  he  had  brought  a  sheep,  which  had  been  sacrificed 


SHEMSHEE,  THE    CARAVAX-FOLLOWER. 


CONST  A  NTINOPLE. 


291 


at  the  entrance  to  the  house,  its  liesh  eaten  by  the  neophytes ; 
on  being  led  into  the  presence  of  the  sheikh  he  made  his 
ablution ;  then,  seated  on  tlie  floor  opposite  the  sheikh,  with 
whom  he  clasped  hands,  the  iing-ers  of  his  right  hand  closed 
and  pressed  firmly  into  the  palm  thereof,  their  thumbs  erect : 
the  sheikh  then  closed  in  like  manner  his  fingers,  taking  the 
Mooreed's  thumb  closely  in  the  palm  of  his  hand ;  thus  placed, 
he  took  the  oath  and  obligation,  expressing  his  thorough  re- 
pentance for  all  sins,  and  asking  forgiveness  of  El  Kebeer, 
God  the  Great.  In  like  manner  he  replied  to  a  regular  cate- 
chism, the  substance  of  which  was  to  establish  to  a  certainty 
his  faith  in  all  the  dogmas  of  the  great  and  noble  Prophet, 
and  assm-ance  that  he  would  never  swerve  from  any  of  the 
duties  imposed  by  the  founder  of  the  order ;  at  the  conclusion 
he  embraced  the  hand  of  the  sheikh,  etc.  etc. 

Yusef  Suliman  never  in  all  this  narration  employed  the 
form  of  the  first  person,  always  saying  Yusef  did  so  and  so. 
Every  careful  Avriter  discards  as  much  as  possible  the  expres- 
sion I,  often  turning  a  phrase  very  skilfully  to  avoid  its  use. 
Did  these  authors  ever  reflect  or  realize  that  this  habit  comes 
from  Mussulman  teachers,  whose  sheikhs  have  taught  that 
none  should  say  I  but  God,  as  all  things  emanate  from  him  ? 
Islamism  teaches  that  the  frequent  use  of  I  is  foolishness 
and  presumption. 


HOWLING    DERVISHES. 


The  sheikh  now  sent  for  me,  and  had  nio  conducted  to  a 
temple  very  simihir  to  the  one  described  in  nn'  account  of  the 
dervishes  at  Cairo.  The  ceremony  differs  only  in  that  instead 
of  whirlino;-  around  tliey  jump  and  sliout  or  howl  out  tlieir 
prayers — earnest  prayers,  by  the  way;  for,  although  to  a 
stranger's  ear,  the  ceremony  appears  to  be  anything  but  devo- 
tional, they  are  indeed  crying  to  God  and  to  his  Prophet  in 
most  earnest,  ecstatic  prayers,  beseeching  God  to  jnirify  them, 
to  bless  them,  to  bestow  his  favor,  to  protect  them  here,  to 
have  mercv  on  all  the  faithful,  addressing  their  divine  Master 
with  a  thousand  endearing  titles,  calling  also  upon  Mahomet 
their  Prophet  to  intercede  for  them.  Since  I  have  lived  with 
Mahometans  and  have  learned  so  much  from  them,  I  contend 
that  there  is  at  least  great  beauty  and  sentiment  in  tlie  thought 
that  they  esteem  themselves  richer  in  grace  and  more  favoi'ed 
than  other  sects,  because  God  in  his  infinite  mercy  has  given 
them  Maliomet  to  lead  them  through  Christ  to  their  heavenly 
Father. 

After  seeing  a  number  of  miracles  performed  on  the  sick 
and  suffering  credulous  human  beings  who  presented  them- 
selves before  tlie  patriarchal  sheikh,  wearv  of  these  emotional 
scenes,  Atanus  and  I  gladly  witluh-ew,  and,  clianging  air  and 
scene,  we  were  again  observers  of  Stamboul  street-life,  loiter- 
ing for  nioments  before  the  coffee-houses,  with  no  desire  to 
share  in  their  festivities  further  than  what  one's  ears  and  eager 

2U2 


51 
> 
iS! 
> 
> 


> 


o 


CONSTANTINOPLE.  295 

eyes  drank  in ;  tlie  quota  f)f  fumes  wliich  we  involuntarilv 
inlialed  from  myriad  steaming  cups,  chibouques,  and  nargilehs, 
which  charged  the  atmosphere;  and  the  monotonous  strains 
of  rude  music,  the  symphonies  of  tlie  Arabic  race,  which,  fall- 
ing weirdly  on  our  tutored  ears,  were  charmino-  in  the  anti- 
thesis :  the  xerx  recollection  of  these  strang-e  tones  o'ives  ns 
by  contrast  a  greater  appreciation  of  the  purer  and  entrancing 
melodies  peculiar  to  our  higher  civilization ;  numerous  street- 
merchants  lurking  around  these  cafes ;  venders  of  rice  patties, 
sugared  fruit-gum ;  bearers  of  cooling  drinks  in  terra-cotta 
jars,  flavored  as  in  Morocco ;  men  balancing  for  hours  racks 
on  which  hang  straws  charged  with  pieces  of  various  fruits, 
glazed  by  being  dipped  in  boiling  sugar ;  others  selling 
birds'-nests  of  sweetened  shreds  of  angelica  paste  with 
honeyed  almonds  for  eggs ;  fruit-dealers  and  melon-seed 
merchants, — all  picturesque  in  their  costumes  and  seemingly 
contented  in  their  avocations.  One  novelt-s'  after  another 
brought  US  into  the  quarter  of  the  bazaars :  we  entered 
there,  not  with  the  hope  of  finding  as  fine  a  market  as 
Cairo  or  Damascus,  yet  it  was  highly  gratifying  to  me. 
Atanns  had  an  eye  to  business,  and  we  were  soon  in  the 
thick  of   the  fray. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  connnodities  as  they 
rolled  before  my  vision,  presenting  themselves  in  masses  as 
the  ciimulative  clouds  in  an  evening  sky — bronzes  and  gilded 
wares ;  stuffs  brilliant  with  garlands ;  cushions,  embroideries ; 
slippers  by  the  metre,  six  pairs  for  little  feet  on  that  measure ; 
old  faience,  porcelain,  and  Turkish  tiles  of  great  beauty;  gaudy 
Oriental  costumes  from  vaivode'  to  bashi" — several  of  my  piir- 
chases  were  characteristic  costumes ;   false  pearls,  rubies,  and 

'  A  governor.  '  A  barber. 


296  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

enamels  tliat  will  not  wash ;  deceitful  fJarniis  of  attar  of  roses 
appearing  to  hold  a  drarhni,  yet  so  skilfidly  formed  tliat  in 
reality  they  barely  contain  live  drops,  and  that  diluted  tno 
hundred  per  cent.;  India  merchants,  some  of  whose  wares  were 
of  the  finer  quality,  such  as  rich  gold  repousse-work  in  brooches 
and  bracelets ;  vases,  bowls,  jjlates,  jewel-caskets,  and  numer- 
ous vessels  in  lacquered  Cashmere  wares,  half  Indian  and  half 
Persian  in  decoration;  scarfs,  shawls,  and  sword-tassels, — every- 
thing impregnated  with  what  to  the  habitues  of  the  bazaars 
is  aroma.  It  may  be  aromatic,  but  to  my  olfactories  it  w^as 
a  heavy  odor  of  gum  benzoin  pervading  every  breath  of  air 
and  impairing  the  purity  and  elasticity  of  the  otherwise  lovely 
atmosphere  coming  from  the  Sea  of  Marmora.  All  this  was 
very  enjoyable  for  a  few  days,  but  when  it  was  once  known 
to  a  certain  class  of  volunteer  and  enqiloj-ed  agents  that  I 
was  a  buyer  of  seals  and  talismans,  it  ^^•as  both  amusing  and 
annoying  to  me ;  for  in  whatever  shamble  I  was  dealing, 
there  were  always  two  or  three  of  these  fellows  hanging  on, 
trying  from  without  to  catch  my  eye  and  to  lead  me  to 
some  other  and,  according  to  them,  better  dealer.  At  times 
— now  long  years  after  these  events — comes  to  my  heart 
the  wish  that  I  coidd  be  for  some  hours  a  day  among  these 
Orientals  and  searching  in  those  rich  sources  of  engraved 
gems. 

There  was  one,  a  seal  which  I  brought  away  as  a  souvenir 
of  the  Mosque  of  Saint  Sophia,  where  its  inscription  is  also 
engraved  and  can  be  read  in  gilded  letters  on  a  benitier.  This 
is  the  text  and  the  translation:  "Wash  (out)  your  transgres- 
sions, and  not  your  face  only  (or  alone)." 


BAZIAS— GREEK  SHOES. 


299 


Tliis  journey  was  extended  to  tlie  countries  lying  on  the 
Black  Sea,  and  afterward,  when  ascending-  the  Danube  from 
Varna,  throug-h  Roumania  and  Rouinelia,  at  Bazias  the  customs- 
inspectors  came  aboard  our  steamboat  and  into  my  state- 
room, where  they  ransacked  my  luggag-e ;  the  respect  for 
antique  engraved  gems  in  the  custom-houses  of  most  nations 
is  remarkable ;  here  not  a  gem  or  other  antique  object 
was  disturbed,  but  they  fell  upon  a  curious  pair  of  red 
morocco  Greek  shoes  with  a  pompon  on  each  toe ;  they  par- 


-  ^  «-  »SiLt,j^         


^  -^^\:ii.V*K--^  SCMK    ^A\.\-- 


MY   GlIEKK   SHOKS. 


leyed  for  some  time  among  themselves,  and  finally  decided 
to  take  them  ashore.  A  friend  of  mine  Avho  had  tlie  curiosity 
to  see  Avhat  the)'  did  told  me  they  walked  some  distance  and 
took  them  into  a  bureau,  where  they  had  another  parley  over 
them ;  then  weighed  them,  and  a  clerk  tilled  out  a  large 
blank,  which  was  brought  to  me  on  the  l)oat  with  the  shoes : 
it  Avas  a  permit  to  pass  through  their  countr\'  with  them  on 
the  ])ayment   in   their  money   of   what  would  have   amounted 


300 


REMINISCENCES    OF  TRAVELS 


to  about  eight  cents  American  monev,  \'\liicli  sum  was 
ordei'ed  to  be  restored  to  me  on  the  presentation  of  the 
shoes  and  tlie  ducument  at  tlie  other  frontier  on  mv  exit 
from  the  conutrv.  I  liave  that  document  vet.  Tliis  leads 
me  into  some  notice  of  general  dealers  in  antiquities  through- 
out Europe. 


WW 


Magyar  kir.  vamliivnlal 


Ilafcfiirkonyv 
An'ijcgyzukiiiiyv 


IS^-ikevi  / 

jclcson : 


Sz.  vamnyugta. 

C/  lio         h  del  C^(:fyf ^  urakoi^ 


vilt  arukert 


^UC<. 


lajsdom  szeriiit 

IjclioZfltali  vim 
kivitcli  vam  . 
atszallilasi  vain 
niazsalasi  dij 
czcdulaiaiiz 
jiccscdlij  . 
raklafter 
vampoMek 
doliiryetigtiielyi  dij 


Ervciiycs  a  lialarszeli  kcrilletbcn 
—  kcrcsztiil 

en 

-^  ora  alatt,  cs 

a  bclvamviJcken  ~ 

-rr  Iccndo 


fogyaszfasi  ado  . 
kozscgi  adopotlek 


kcrcsztiil 
szallitasra 


Szoros  szumadiis  ala  eso  rakt 
Vam. 


Wile 

.  14.  sz.  d^f/l'-f^  ^  16  minta  a  Livatalos  yusil 


Lclizctctt 
illctekck 

iVt    fkr. 


/oJ 


Z 


ishoz. 


NO  DUTY  ON  ENGRAVED  GEMS  ;  CUSTOM-HOUSE  RECEIPT  FOR  DUTIES  ON  GREEK  SHOES. 


< 


•J 


K 
O 


3 


GENERAL    DEALEES. 


Continual  search  for  engraved  stones  tln-oughout  Europe 
and  other  lands,  and  freciuent  rehitions  witli  tliose  who  make 
tlie  sale  of  gems  a  profession,  give  a  tine  opportunity  for  any 
observant  collector  to  study  certain  phases  of  character ;  and, 
though  he  may  not  start  out  a  physiognomist,  he  will  soon 
know  Avliat  to  expect  of  his  man  when  he  has  seen  him  and 
heard  him  speak.  Much  is  also  accomplished  by  correspond- 
ence after  acquaintance  and  confidence  are  established :  the 
gem-merchants  send  drawings,  photographs,  and  even  tlie 
stones,  on  approval  by  registered  post. 

Annually  for  nearly  twenty  years  I  have  bent  my  steps 
to  an  old  theatre  in  an  older  city  near  the  Adriatic  Sea,  and, 
mounting  a  labyrinth  of  ladders  and  stairs  to  a  little  apart- 
ment above  the  wings  of  the  stage,  I  have  had  pleasant  and 
remunerative  intercourse  with  a  man  who  by  day  follo-ws  the 
profession  of  lapidary:  assuring  himself  long  ago  that  in  me 
he  had  a  regular  customer,  he  has  from  time  to  time  made 
excursions  through  out-of-the-way  districts,  and  I  have  profited 
by  becoming  the  possessor  of  almost  all  his  acquisitions.^ 


Nor  can  I  forget  a  tinge  of  romance  in  the  errand  which 
led  me  many  winters  to  a  point  on  the  main  road  between 

'  See  in  my  colleftion,  No.  577,  Case  I  I :  not  only  is  this  engraved  Byzantine  licail  of 
Christ  interesting,  but  tlie  siiecimen  of  green  jade  is  rare;  in  the  Museum  of  the  Louvre  at 
Paris  they  have  nothing  so  fine  in  green  jade. 

20  305 


;!Oii  liEMTNISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

Naples  and  Baia",  wliere,  to  spare  the  horses,  I  woukl  leave 
them  and  cliiiib  by  a  ravine  over  a  rough  path  on  loose  masses 
of  scoria  and  between  Imge  blocks  of  broken  lava,  that  liad  come 
upon  the  scene  long-  since  the  early  Greek  emigrants  rested 
tliere  on  their  Avay  to  their  art-labor  in  Rome — this  was  my 
nearer  wa\'  to  the  chm-ch  of  Saint  Proculo  at  Pozznoli — when, 
taking  a  tortuous  passage  cut  in  old  tufa,  I  mounted  a  winding 
stairwav  in  a  tower  against  the  church  to  a,  modest  apartment, 
to  make  mv  visit  to  its  pious  and  genial  tenant,  a  man  of 
medium  stature,  meagre  frame :  a  pure  emotional  countenance 
enthroned  his  Italian  face,  lips  trained  to  holy  speech,  serious 
eves  beneath  a  spiritu;d  brow,  which  were  brightened  liv  his 
enthusiasm  as  a  collector  of  ancient  Greek  and  Roman  objects 
of  antiquitv.  He  was  the  cure  of  Saint  Proculo,  ministering 
to  a  charge  whose  parishioners  were  laborers  in  the  tufa,  and 
scoria  deposited  here  by  many  volcanic  upheavals,  vinevard 
employes  and  agriculturists,  who,  ever  turning  up  the  soil  or 
making  excavations,  fomid  l)uried  fragments  of  treasures  and 
ornaments  of  a  race  coeval  with  the  Pompeiians. 

As  is  generall}'  the  case,  the  peasantry  of  these  countries 
sell  all  their  findings  to  their  spiritual  advisei',  who  thus  adds 
to  his  very  meagre  support  by  dealing  in  these  objects,  and  is 
the  village  antiquai'\'.  From  tlie  very  fact  that  his  business 
affairs  grew  out  of. relations  with  those  who  came  to  him  in 
his  sacred  calling,  this  man  was  not  mercenarv,  not  even  mer- 
cantile, in  his  wavs :  when  once  he  knew  me,  his  whole  heart 
seemed  warmed  in  sym})athetic  interest  in  my  pursuit;  lie 
A^ould  take  jdeasure  in  showing  me  his  little  museum,  not 
Avholly  with  the  thought  of  selling,  but  from  the  love  of  his 
■occupation.  In  fact,  the  pleasure  was  mutual :  he  saw  how 
sincerely   I   Avas    interested,    and   he   would   discourse   on   one 


GENERAL    DEALERS.  309 

piece  after  another,^  takin<i'  now  t'roin  an  old  metallic  coffer 
a  Grecian  terra-cotta  laiii[)  witli  three  diverging  Ijranches,  the 
aperture  in  the  centre  where  the  main  receptacle  for  the  oil 
was  covered  by  an  ornamental  caj),  on  which  was  an  elaborate 
representation  of  Troy,  its  towers,  l)ulwarks,  and  other  points 
of  defence,  on  the  l)ranclies  the  trenches  and  appliances  of  the 
attacking-  forces  in  and  about  their  sies'e-works ;  or  a  bronze 
hand-mirror  on  the  back  of  which  was  eng-raved  in  deep  lines 
the  Ciimaean  Sibvl,  who  like  all  Sib\ls  was  believed  to  be  a 
stainless,  heaven-given  being  not  c^uite  deity,  l)ut  one  coun- 
selled of  God — which  is  the  derivative  signification  of  the 
word :  she,  having  audience  with  divinity,  was  deemed  fit  to 
plead  with  divine  power:  througlumt  all  religions  the  same 
prevailing  principle  of  a  mediator. 

He  also  showed  and  sold  me  an  antique  amber  necklace 
which  one  of  his  ]iarisliioners  had  dug  up  on  the  site  of  Cunune; 
it  was  found  in  a  tomb  built  of  corrugated  tiles  of  terra-cotta. 
(I  liad  already  seen,  in  making  a  walking  excursion  from  Kome 
to  the  ancient  tomb  of  Tor  di  Qinto  and  the  \'illa  Livia,  some 
workmen  making  an  excavation  for  a  railwav,  and  wliile  tliere 
saw  tlieni  micovcr  and  open  just  such  tombs  of  terra-cotta 
tiles,  wliich  contained,  among  some  remains  of  human  bones, 
several  coins  and  a  few  bronze  articles;  one  piece,  on  which 
was  a  gilded  mitred  head,  fell  into  my  possession  for  a  con- 
sideration.) This  Cuma\an  relic,  in  such  good  condition  in 
the  museum  of  the  cure,  interested  me  from  the  very  foct  that 
it  liad  been  jireserved  in  the  peculiar  tomb  already  described, 
and  is  now  in  niv  collection — Xo.  1324,  Case  E  E  E  E.  Friend 
Cure,  I  would   \\i]lini;l\-  lav  aside  mv  i)en  this  brioht  morning- 

'  This  cure  was  so  a<;i'eealile  tliat  my  wile  williugly  aucompanied  me  ou  tliese  visits,  and 
fuiiiiJ  much  interest  in  him  and  liis  sister. 


310  BEMINISCEXCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

and  have  an  hour  with  a  on  and  voiir  treasures,  hut  distance 
and  the  great  waters  bid  nie  attend. 


There  is  a  popuhir  and  erroneoiis  impression  in  the  minds 
of  travellers  in  Europe  that  the  public  or  state  nniseums  are 
the  best  and  only  collections  worth  seeing:  in  several  cases, 
to  my  knowledge,  the  contrary  is  the  case,  because  many 
museums  are  made  up  of  things  given  to  them,  and,  though 
subsidized  by  some  governments,  the}'  cannot  afford  nor  do 
they  seek  a\  ith  the  same  ardor  that  actuates  and  impels  private 
connoisseurs  and  rich  amateurs.  This  was  the  case  with  one 
princely  antiquary,  formerly  in  the  Via  del  Babuino  at  Rome. 
His  Avas  indeed  a  museum — gems,  statuary,  paintings,  bronzes, 
enamels ;  and  all  of  the  highest  order,  arranged  witli  the 
ffreatest  ffood  taste  in  a  series  of  rooms  forininjr  an  L  on 
the  ]?a1)uino,  and  at  five  minutes'  distance  a  succursal,  \\liere 
could  be  seen  an  important  gallery  of  antique  statuary,  and 
within  an  enclosure  to  jirotect  it  one  of  the  grandest  ancient 
mosaic  pavements,  in  several  colors,  rivalling  and  su])eri(ir  to 
most  examples  in  the  state  museums  of  Italy,  P'rance,  Ger- 
nianA",   and  Austria. 


Though  cosmopolitan  in  m)'  habits  and  views,  I  have  my 
pi'eferences  for  certain  nationalities.  With  the  turbaned  Ori- 
entals tliere  is  at  times  a  tone  of  indifference  in  their  manner 
which  renders  it  far  less  pleasurable  to  trade  witli  tliem:  in- 
deed, often  after  coming  ^\■ith  some  friend  of  theirs  a  great 
distance,  I   would  have   to   coax   the   too  serene   Mussidiuan  to 


flEXEBAL    DEALERS.  :U1 

display  liis  gems  wlu'U  lie  did  Inisiness  in  apartments,  altliough 
all  the  time  he  was  anxious  to  sell  them.  "  He  had  them,  yes," 
but  "(■(•uldn'tl  come  some  other  dayf  This  is  their  policy ; 
they  know  my  time  is  limited,  that  I  have  come  from  afar  in 
search  of  these  objects,  and  they  intentionally  force  me  into 
the  ])osition  of  one  greatly  in  need  of  their  merchandise :  and, 
thus  i)laced,  I  have  the  option  of  buying  at  unreasonable  prices 
or  going  without.  It  nuist  be  understood  this  is  when  seeking 
some  special  address  given  to  me ;  but,  as  is  elsewhere  re- 
inark(Ml,  when  s]iopi)ing  in  the  bazaars  and  agents  of  these 
very  men  see  me  and  solicit  my  patronage,  then  it  is  different: 
I  am  then  in  the  desirable  position.  They  are  not  so  agreeable 
in  these  matters  as  are  the  French,  the  Italians,  and  men  of 
Scandinavia,  Finland,  and  Russia. 

The  Persians,  Tartars,  and  Indiamen  with  whom  I  have 
bartered  in  the  galleries  of  the  annual  ftiir  at  Nijni-Novgorod 
are  more  enterprising,  and  always  ready  to  come  to  terms  if 
possible.  I  have,  however,  Ijeen  convinced  that  these  men 
are  dealers  only ;  in  fact,  they  are  merchants,  without  the 
slightest  love,  or  even  idea,  of  the  subjects  engraved  on  the 
gems  they  have  brought  from  afar,  to  sell  like  so  many  pounds 
of  rare  spices  that  should  conunand  a  profit:  that  was  their 
only  thought.  It  is  inferred,  or  one  would  suppose,  that  anv 
man  avIio  had  travelled  on  foot  and  in  saddle  more  than  a 
thousand  miles  in  company  or  in  possession  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
interesting  engraved  gems  would  have  some  desire  to  make 
their  acquaintance,  or  know  something  aboiit  them,  or  feel 
some  regret  at  parting  with  them,  as  would  a  Frenchman,  an 
Italian,  or  a  German. 

The  fair  at  Nijni-Novgorod  is  held  on  a  strip  of  land  be- 
tween the  Volga  and  the  (Jka  rivers.      Much  of  my  time  was 


312  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS 

spent  at  the  l)azaar  at  the  g-overnor  s  liouse  about  the  centre 
of  the  fair,  where  precious  stones  and  curios  from  Bokhara 
and  minerals  from  Sil)eria  are  exposed  for  sale,  and  I  had 
some  dealino's  with  a  dignified  and  aoreeable  Persian,  Mirza 
Petros  Khan,  from  whom  I  houj^ht  several  stones  and  one 
Persian  seal.     (See  No.  500,  Case  D  D.) 

Here  also,  when  it  was  known  that  I  was  a  buyer,  roufj-h- 
bearded,  fur-dressed,  greasy,  wild-looking  men  would  follow 
me,  and  call  me  aside  to  turn  oiit  the  curious  antique  contents 
of  their  deep  dirtv  jiantaloon  pockets.  I  have  a  gem  in  my 
collection  which,  whenever  I  look  at  it,  to  this  day  wafts  the 
odor  of  a  greasy  Tartar;  and  vet  in  my  memory  there  is  a 
friendly  tie  between  me  and  the  one  who  has  sold  me  an 
interesting-  gem.  Sometimes,  but  rarely,  he  has  been  a  man 
of  feeling :  once  with  pathos  one  said  to  the  geni  as  he  was 
handing  it  over  to  me,  "Adieu,  <dd  friend;  T  regret  the  neces- 
sity which  forces  me  to  ])art  with  thee,  and  yet  I  reconcile 
myself  with  the  thought  that  thou  shalt  be  in  such  good 
company." 

My  resoiirces  have  been  many  after  yeai-s  of  travel,  and 
by  introductions  from  one  to  another  a  good  list  of  acquaint- 
ances was  formed  in  private  families  Avithin  a  circuit  on  the 
continent  of  Europe  capable  of  l)eing  -sisited  oiu'e  yearly. 
Venice  was  formerly  a  field  rich  in  old  families,  from  whom 
I  have  made  many  ]iurchases  until  little  is  left  for  acquisition. 
The  same  is  true  of  most  such  resources  throughout  Italy. 
The  plumed  creature  whose  golden  eggs  I  have  so  often 
gathered  has  not  been  destroyed;  each  year  naturally  dimin- 
ishes the  sculptured  supjdy. 

Among  these   acipiaintances  Avere  the  families  Lanzi,  Ben- 


> 

c 


c 
c 


GENERAL    DEALERS.  315 

civenga,  Bessagio  of  Eome ;  Zanetti  of  Venice ;  Posenti  of 
Fabriano ;  Uabrielle,  the  did  ballet-dancer  of  Naples;  De 
Micliaelis  of  Turin ;  and  many  others. 


Of  one  of  these  families,  the  Count  of  Zanetti  of  this  gen- 
eration is  my  esteemed  friend,  from  whom  I  have  obtained 
many  interesting"  and  valuable  portions  of  his  ancestors'  treas- 
ures, although  one  hundred  and  tifty  years  have  elapsed  since 
they  were  collected  by  Antonio  Maria  Zanetti. 

Of  this  tamily  the  following-  mention  has  been  maile  Ijv 
the  Italian  (uiistc  Rosalba  Carriera,  so  well  known  in  France, 
in  the  "  Jom'nal  of  lier  Art-  and  (Vtnrt-life  at  Paris,  172U  and 
1721,"  in  Italian  l)y  Vianelli;  she  speaks  frequently  of  Antonio 
Maria  Zanetti,  who  Avas  born  in  Venice  February,  1680:  "A 
scholarly  writer,  painter,  and  collector,  an  enthusiastic  con- 
noisseur of  g"ems,  he  formed  a  remarkable  collection  of  cameos 
and  intaglios,  many  of  which  are  now  in  the  Museum  Correr 
at  Venice." 

The  house  of  Zanetti,  a  nuiseum  of  art,  was  in  a  measure 
a  school  for  Rosalba,  and  there  Zanetti  received  her  with  fra- 
ternal cordiality  during  many  years  of  her  youth.  (Jrozat,  be- 
.ing  in  Venice  in  1715,  persuaded  Zanetti  and  Rosalba  to  come 
to  Paris,  promising  them  a  reception  of  which  their  talents 
rendered  tliem  worthy,  and  holding  out  to  them  the  induce- 
ment of  viewing  the  wonderful  pictures  and  other  inestimable 
riches  of  tlie  nmseums.  Pelligrini,  her  brother-in-law,  had  also 
been  called  in  1719  to  fresco  the  ceiling  of  the  Bourse  (the 
National  Bank);  })rotiting  themselves  by  these  circumstances, 
they  passed  on  their  tirst  visit  one  )'ear  in  Paris ;  Zanetti 
also  visited  London. 


316  EEMIXISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

When  Zanetti  arrived  in  Paris  the  artists  and  principal 
amateui-s  act-Drded  liini  a  reception  never  to  be  forgotten ;  he 
loved  in  after-life  to  reilect  npon  the  testimonies  of  esteem 
which  he  had  received  from  Crozat,  and  especially  from  Mari- 
etta, whom  he  always  named  his  dearest  of  friends  {a)>iinis 
(iilectissini/is).  Zanetti  was  one  of  the  few  amatenrs  honored 
Ijy  Philip,  duke  of  Orleans,  the  regent  during  the  minority 
of  Louis  XY.,  Avho  presented  him  with  an  elegantly  bound 
copv  of  the  edition  Daphne  et  CJiloe,  oniiunented  with  engrav- 
msrs  made  bv  Audran  from  designs  made  bv  the  Prince  of 
Orleans.  Having  a  large  fortune,  he  employed  it  in  forming 
one  of  the  richest  cabinets  that  a  private  gentleman  has  ever 
owned  in  l^urope :  his  collection  of  engraved  stones  was  de- 
scribed and  publislied  by  Gori,  Venice,  1758,  hi  folio,  with 
eighty  plates.  A  number  of  these  yery  gems  are  in  my  col- 
lection in  Philadelphia,  and  the  original  leather  cases  lined 
with  buckskin  in  which  they  were  set  for  him.  (See  Nos. 
1348,  1349,  1350,  1351,  Case  :\1  M  M  M.)  There  are  others 
of  the  same  suite  of  Roman  historical  snl)jects  identical  in 
execution  which  had  passed  from  Zanetti  to  another  old 
family.  T\venty-si.\  of  them,  in  all,  are  now  in  my  pos.ses- 
sion.  He  was,  however,  economical  in  all  other  expenses; 
during  twenty-three  years  he  kept  at  a  great  jjrice  a  nniti- 
lated  gem,  an  Antinous ;  it  was  of  rare  beauty.  He  said  one 
day  to  Clement  of  Geneva,  "  If  I  could  have  found  the  other 
fragment  and  completed  it,  I  would  willingly  have  sold  this 
house  to  possess  it."  Clement  remarks:  "The  lionse  was  very 
handsome  and  connnodious :  I  remember  it  well,  for  I  thought 
to  die  of  cold  there  one  day  wlien  he  was  showing  me  his 
cameos.  During  t\v(^)  liours  lie  displayed  them  before  me — 
this  in  the   montli  of  .lauuar\- — and  we   were  in  a   room  with- 


GENERAL    DEALERS.  317 

nut  fire,  as  is  the  custom  of  the  couutry.  I  said  to  Zanetti, 
'All  tliese  M'orks  are  very  beautiful,  liut  I  shall  freeze  in  my 
admiration  if  you  do  not  take  j^ity  on  me  ;'  and  what  do  vou 
think  he  did  ?  This  is  no  caricature :  he  instructed  a  valet, 
who  brought  me  some  embers  of  wood-fire  on  a  porcelain 
plate ;  I  felt  like  swallowing  the  coals.  He  Avas  comfortable, 
warmed  bv  his  enthusiasm." 

Writing  to  the  Chevalier  Gaburri  at  Florence  (l-lth  Octo- 
ber,  1730): 

"Your  Lordship,  the  world  is  generally  one  half  ready  to 

sell,  and  the  other  to  buy;  and  as  one  never  knows  to-day 

what  may  be  oflered  to-morrow,  perhaps  in  these  days  there 

may  come  sales  of  cameos.     I  have  put  aside  at  this  moment 

three  thousand  Roman  ecus  for  this  purpose,  and  pray  you  to 

notify  me  shoxdd  any  gems  be  oft'ered.     Your  Lordship  jier- 

haps   believes    that    the    capital    I    have    buried    in    my   little 

museum  exceeds    my  fortune,    but    having  no   wife  nor  chil- 

di-en,  only  nephews,  I   feel   that   I   dare    enjoy  this   incom])re- 

hensible  pleasure.     Je  suis. 

"A.  M.  Zanetti." 

He  terminated  his  long  career,  being  still  earnestly  occu- 
pied in  art  pursuits,  at  about  eighty -five  years  of  age,  \\lien 
he  died,  preserving  his  clear  intellect  initil  the  last  breath. 


It  is  my  pleasure  here  to  add  the  name  of  C'ostantino 
Lanzi  of  Rome,  "incisore,"  a  man  the  most  learned  on  the 
subject  of  engi-aved  gems  in  Italy  to-day,  luuing  traditional, 
theoretical,  and  practit'al  knowledge  of  all  that  pertains  to  the 
art  and  to  the  profession.  To  him  am  I  indeljted  for  the 
happiest  and   most  profitable   hours  in  the   consideration   and 


318  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS. 

study  of  this  subject  during   many  long-  winters  in  the   city 
of  the  Tiber.  

Tlie  people  of  Poland  are  said  to  be  oppressed :  so  have 
I  been  every  time  Ave  have  visited  Warschan.  l^hey  are  sure 
to  divine  a  stranger's  business,  and  if  one  is  in  a  mood  to 
accept  advice  at  random,  it  abounds  in  the  persons  known  in 
English  as  "  touters."  Yet  these  busybodies  have  served  me 
to  mv  advantage  at  times.  One  amusing  incident  shall  iind 
a  place  here.  Having  walked  and  visited  various  points  in 
the  city,  always  interesting,  I  turned  my  attention  to  gem- 
seeking,  and  in  the  Stare  Miasto,  the  old  town  near  the  ruins 
of  the  ducal  castle  Massovia,  mounted  the  stairs  of  several 
stories  in  a  great  tenement-house  to  visit  an  old  acquaintance, 
a  numismatist  and  collector  of  Scandinavian  antiquities.  Be- 
sides the  objects  belonging  to  his  own  subject  and  collection, 
he  laid  out  before  me  a  cameo  in  tunpioise  measuring  almost 
an  inch  and  a  half  iu  breadth,  curious,  almost  to  rudeness,  in 
execution,  Ijut  very  interesting  in  the  details  of  its  subject:  he 
did  not  offer  to  sell  it  to  me;  in  fact,  when  he  knew  that  it 
pleased  me  he  rendered  my  desire  for  its  acquisition  more  keen 
by  saying  that  the  owner  would  not  part  with  it  unless  several 
hundred  roubles  could  l)e  obtained  for  it.  Would  I  make  an 
(^fter  ?  This  placing  me  in  the  Avrong  position,  1  turneil  to 
the  investigation  of  other  ol)jects.  Several  times  during  my 
visit  he  called  in  his  valet  to  seek  and  hand  to  lis  one  case 
or  another  of  strange  coins,  and  thus  closed  our  interview 
without  n\\  having  acquired  the  gem.  A  learned  expert  of 
the  old  book  department  of  Hotel  Di'ouot  of  Paris,  for  A^•hom 
I  Avas  seeking  some  wanting  pages  of  illustrations  for  a  book 
of   his,    on    my  reporting  an  offer  made  to  me  by  Lacroix, 


3J 


GENERAL    DEALERS.  321 

wrote  on  a  slip  of  paper,  "There  is  a  time  wlien  demands 
reach  a  point  at  wliicli  prudence  warns  us  to  wait :"  with  tliis 
maxim  I  waited. 

The  same  day,  when  passmg  the  bronze  statue  of  Sigis- 
mund  III.  on  the  square  of  the  royal  castle,  I  noticed  a  man 
who  had  been  ol)serving  me  closely  for  some  time :  he  finallv 
beckoned  to  me,  as  I  was  then  with  my  wife.     On   o-oino-  to 
him  he  addressed  me  in  the  German  language  and  made  kno^^■n 
his  business  in  a  very  straightforward  story.     He  said:   "You 
were  this  morning  at  the  rooms  of  ]\Iikhailovsky ;  von  saw  a 
turquoise  gem;  that  stone  does  not  belong  to   M.     I  have  a 
friend  who  knows  the  owner;  you  .shall  be  conducted  to  this 
man,  who  in  tiu-n  will  take  you  to  the  true  possessor  of  that 
turquoise.     My  conditions  are,  that  if  ycni  ])urchase  the  stone 
you  will  pay  my  friend  three   roubles  for   introducing  vou." 
With  little  reflection  I  acquiesced ;  the  appointment  was  made 
for  three  p.  m.,  and  at  a  designated  jjoint  at  the  corner  of  the 
palace  Pod-blakhon.     After  tinishing  our  drive  about  the  city 
I   repaired  to   my  rendezvous,   and  with  the    man  proceeded 
through  some  small  streets  to  a  busy  square  or  place,  Avhere 
he  soon  requested  me  to  stop  outside  a  (jemeinschdftUche  eating- 
house.       Determined  to  see  my  adventure  through,  I  waited 
patiently ;  the  cause  of  the  detention  was  afterward  explained. 
In  aljout  twenty  minutes  he  returned,  and  conducted  me  inside 
a  busy  restaurant  thronged  with  hungry  people,  eating  un- 
savory   viands    which    wafted   fumes    of    hot    garlic    into    my 
unwilling   mouth;    another  tive    minutes'  attendance,   and    he 
ushered  me  into  the  sanctum  of  the  proprietress  of  the  desired 
cameo.     There  she  stood,  veiled  in  clouds  of  steam  which  rose 
from  the  cooking  which  .she   in    liare  arms    was    supei-intend- 
ing.     Atter  the  necessary  higgling  and  bartering,  the  turquoise 


21 


322  REMINISCENCES    OF    TRAVELS 

(havino-  in  tlie  mean  time  been  reclaimed  and  retnrned  to  its 
in-oprietress)  was  transferred  to  me:  the  dame  avIio  tlius  parted 
with  her  inheritance,  the  agent,  and  your  author  were  all  sat- 
isfied. ;>[ikhailovsky's  valet  had  informed  his  friend,  and  miTst 
have  shared  in  the  commission.  The  cameo,  a  curious  old  tur- 
quoise, is  No.  330,  Case  T,  and  its  subject,  "  Achilles  parting 
with  Deidameia  and  his  son  Neoptolemus."  This  turquoise  has 
h  ist  its  original  bright  blue  color  from  age,  as  is  the  case  with 
all  in  this  collection.  The  arms  and  legs  are  cut  entirely  in 
relief;  a  straw  can  be  passed  under  in  several  places. 

When  the  Grecian  kings  had  decided  to  wage  war  against 
Trov,  Agamemnon  thought  it  important  that  Ulysses  and 
Achilles  should  take  part  in  the  expedition.  It  Avas  sus- 
pected that  Achilles  was  concealed  among  the  daughters  of 
Lvcomedes:  Palamedes  was  commissioned  to  seek  out  Acliil- 
les.  Ulysses  suggested  a  stratagem.  He  took  a  variety  of 
ornaments  for  women  and  a  shield  and  sword,  and  repaired 
as  a  peddler  to  the  palace  of  the  king  of  Scyros.  A  rare 
jewel  attracted  the  attention  of  all  the  women  except  one, 
who  examined  closely  the  sword  and  shield.  Suddenly  Pal- 
amedes and  his  t-ompanions  clashed  their  arms  together,  feign- 
ing an  attack  on  the  palace.  All  the  women  ran  away,  but 
Achilles,  who  had  been  attracted  by  the  sword  and  shield, 
threw  aside  his  disguise,  seized  tlu'  anus,  and  assumed  an 
attitude  of  defence.  Having  thus  been  discovered,  Achilles, 
who  lonoed  for  o-lor\',  soon  vielded  to  their  entreaties  and 
joined  the  princes.  The  cameo  seems  to  represent  Ulysses 
dragging  awav  Achilles,  who  takes  leave  of  his  son  Neop- 
tolemus (who  ten  years  later  followed  him  to  Troy)  and  of 
his  beloved  Deidameia,  who  blesses  liim.  The  figures  behind 
Deidameia  seem  to  be  her  attendants. 


THE    OLD-LADY    ANTIQUARY    AT    KOSKILDE. 


GENERAL    DEALERS.  32o 

^^laking-  one  of  my  ainiunl  visits  to  an  old  dealer  in  his 
])nvate  apartments  in  Copenhagen,  he,  having  been  advised 
of  \n\  arrival  in  the  city,  among'  other  things  displayed  in 
his  little  mnseixm  an  intaglio  in  Egyptian  jaspt-r  \\\t\\  one 
of  those  strangely-drawn  Christian  fignres  Avith  large  hands 
in  till'  attitnde  of  prayer,  with  two  crosses  ahove  the  head; 
on  the  back  of  the  stone  were  two  deep  smooth  caA-ities, 
into  wliicli  botli  the  parties,  the  giver  and  the  receiver,  had 
placed  each  a  drop  of  their  blood ;  he  who  received  and 
carried  it  in  a  ring  had  thus  an  amulet  of  friendship  binding 
him  ever  in  recollection  of  the  giver.  Another,  a  Greek 
cameo  in  inilpa  di  Fraucia ;  the  price  demanded  being  exor- 
bitant, I  concluded  to  wait. 

Two  or  three  days  after,  on  the  Brede-Gade,  I  was  ap- 
proached by  Freijansen,  a  commissionnaire  AA'honi  I  had  at 
times  employed  to  show  me  into  the  houses  of  private  fami- 
lies having  antique  jewels  and  gems :  he  proposed  nn-  visiting 
a  f\imilv  he  had  found  in  another  (piarter,  and  suggested  if 
the  distance  would  not  deter  me  should  we  not  go  there 
together  ?  We  took  the  rail,  and  were  soon  at  Roskilde, 
the  ancient  cajjital  of  the  kingdom  of  Denmark,  where  he 
conducted  me  to  a  quaint  old  house  almost  h'ing  against 
the  Cathedral  of  Roskilde,  a  short  distance  west  of  Copen- 
hagen. 

AVe  were  courteouslv  received  by  an  oltl  lady,  who,  open- 
ing the  descending  door  of  an  old  family  piece  of  furniture, 
a  secretary  in  pear-wood,  disclosed  quite  a  collection  of  en- 
graved stones  guarded  in  a  number  of  large  crx'stal  glass 
tumblers  peculiar  to  Denmark  and  Fiinen :  after  a  few 
satisfactory  selections  the  lady  produced  an  old  faded  gi-een 
morocco   case,  and,  lo !   the  very  gem  I  had  seen  the  other 


326 


REMINISCENCES   OF   TRAVELS. 


day  across  the  water  was  again  l)ef()re  me;  tliis  time,  tlie 
price  being  reasonable,  it  was  soon  arranged ;  the  gem  went 
into  my  pocket,  and  is  now  No.  157,  Case  J,  its  subject,  "The 
grief  of  Achilles  at  the  death  of  his  friend  Patroclus." 


.^^ 


INTERESTING    INCIDENTS 


OF  SUBJECTS  OF 


ENGRAVED  GEMS. 


\ 


INTERESTING    INCIDENTS 


OF   srUJECTS   OF 


ENGRAVED    GEMS. 


These  engraved  stones  are  not  only  attractive  in  tlie  beauty 
of  their  execution  and  the  comehness  of  the  figures  dehneated, 
but  much  pleasure  is  to  be  derived  from  the  facts  and  romance 
discovered  Ijy  the  research  which  interprets  their  meaning  or 
exj^lains  theiii.  Thus,  after  hunting  through  folios  of  myth- 
ology or  the  anecdotes  and  metamorphoses  of  classical  lore, 
often,  Avhen  at  last  finding  my  subject  and  recognizing  its 
identity,  I  have  been  amused  and  rewarded  by  some  enter- 
taining incident. 

These  side  pleasures  in  my  branch  of  science  are  word- 
pictures  ;  they,  like  many  gems  in  stone,  may  be  interesting 
when  laid  beside  one  another.  Witli  this  thousrht  the  followino- 
incidents  are  given. 


329 


^SCULAPIUS    AJS^D    TELESPHORUS. 

'TwixT  the  cradle  and  the  sri'ave  come  many  vicissitudes; 
few  pass  cliildhood  without  a  pani;- ;  youth  and  -voung-  man- 
hood, though  periods  of  vioor,  are  not  exempt:  there  comes 
a  time  to  every  luuiian  being  when  he  needs  that  scientitic 
friend  "the  doctor" — not  Doctor  Daniel  Dove,  but  one  whose 
type  we  find  so  often  graven  on  the  ancient  gems,  -^sculapius, 
the  learned  and  the  loved  physician.  Tlie  frequency  of  his 
symbolic  eftigy  proves  how  the  profession  was  esteemed  and 
his  mythological  services  appreciated. 

From  the  ancients  I  have  learned  a  happy  thought :  think 
me  not  vain  ;    it  is  given  as  niv  own  : 

^Esculapius,  the  })hysicia!i,  came  not  alone  ;  he  came  when 
reasonably  he  could,  hand  in  hand  with  hopeful  Telesphorus, 
his  yoimg  and  vigorous  companion,  the  god  of  convalescence, 
in  whose  sanguine  features  were  pictured  trust,  confidence,  reli- 
ance— emotions  in  themselves  happily  inspiring  the  invalid 
with  visions  of  restoration  and  of  health.      Men  of  tlie  healiuir 

o 
3.30 


AESCULAPIUS    AND     TELESPHORUS.  331 

art,  this  is  the  lever  <ift  forg-otten,  the  remedy  that  slioukl  be 
employed  bv  bringing  the  promise  of  Telesphorus  to  nerve  the 
ailing  one,  to  strike  away  the  fevered  chains,  and  through  con- 
valescence come  again  to  life  and  nsefulness. 

This  eft'usion  is  prompted  bv  \n\  treasureil  antique  cameo. 
No.  P)4,  Case  C,  ^Esculapius  and  Telesphorus,  worn  and  frac- 
tureil  bv  its  long  sojourn  lieneatli  the  waters  of  the  Tilier, 
whence  it  came  into  mv  possession.  Remark  also  the  Greek 
cameo  of  Hippocrates  with  an  inscription  (see  No.  10,  Case  A). 
On  the  obverse  the  portrait  in  high  relief  of  Hippocrates,  the 
celebi'ated  ])hvsician  of  antiquitv,  v..  c.  460,  and  on  the  reverse 
the  emblem  usually  accompanying  ^Eseulapius,  the  staff  to 
which  clings  the  serpent.  This  svndjol  Avas  employed  because 
it  was  believed  the  serpent  had  the  power  of  renovating 
itself. 


EDUCATION    or    BACCHUS. 

Supplying  an  article  recently  on  schools  for  another  pnh- 
lication,  I  recoonized  the  interest  felt  in  this  conntrv  in  that 
theme,  and  the  importance  of  the  subject  was  realized.  Uf 
such  instruction  for  the  youny  no  examples  have  been  found 
in  glyptic  art;  yet  one  gem  in  my  collection  (Xo.  1"2'J1,  Case 
B  B  B  B)  renders  a  faithful  and  amusing  representation  of  a 
school  under  mythological  tutors.  The  subject  is  the  educa- 
tion of  the  "Infant  Bacchus:"  the  cdllege-room  a  nook 
where  nature  cree})s  witli  vine  and  leaf  and  grass  and  ilow- 
ers ;  benches  and  tables  are  ignored ;  the  youth's  iirst  book 
a  bowl,  and  what  he  learns  therefrom  the  flavor  of  the  pun- 
p-ent  wine,  the  same  knoAvledge  taught  to  him.  as  all  his  ances- 
tors  had  acquired  it,  in  deep  libations ;  and  of  this  lore  there 
is  reserve  in  skins  near  by,  distended  with  then-  charge  of  lib- 
eral grape-juice,  waiting  to  add  their  force  in  his  tuition.  This 
system  is  a  good  one :  tlie  scion  is  not  consigned  to  strange 
masters,  to  be  kept  in  school  beyond  the  liour  or  whipped  or 
bullied  on  the  bench  by  pensioned  teachers.  Paternal  is  his 
incloctrinatidH  :  liis  mentor  sits  before  liiiu  on  the  sward,  with 
loving  hand  su})ports  tlie  bowl,  and  guides  his  head  that  to 
his  lips  may  come  these  first  drops  of  learning ;  he  gives  him 
juice  of  grapes  newly  pressed.  (Bacchus  found  pleasure  in 
crushing  the  wine-giving  g-rapes,  as  he  who  draws  the  yellow 
gold  from  quartz.)  The  attendant  mother  and  nymph  with 
all  their  tenderness  encourage  the  child  in  liis  potations,  and 
praise    his    assiduity,    promising    anon    the    l)roth    which    witli 

332 


EDUCATION   OF   BACCHUS.  335 

thoiig-litt'ul    care    tliey've    made    read}'    in    a    basin    on    the 
tnrf. 

The  spoon  of  large  dimensions  patiently  awaits  its  turn  to 
serve  the  prince,  the  heir-apparent  to  the  king  of  all  inebriates, 
more  placidly  than  does  the  nrcliin  his  idaymate,  who  leans 
o'er  the  schoolmaster's  shoulder  smacking  his  lips  and  wishing 
he  too  could  learn. 


STATUES    OF    THE    NILE    AND    TIBER. 

There  are  several  gems  in  my  cabinet — the  ^Eseulapius 
A\itli  Telesplionxs,  No.  34,  Case  C  ;  the  water-worn  Emperor's 
jxirtrait,  formerly  the  property  of  General  Bliicher,  Xo.  113, 
Case  G ;  the  beautiful  fragment  of  Neptune,  No.  56,  Case  D ; 
the  large  official  Egyptian  ring.  No.  456,  Case  A  A ;  and  the 
scpxare  seal  in  In'onze  found  at  Girgeli,  No.  1097,  Case  Q  Q  Q 
— which  have  frequently  drawn  my  thoughts  to  the  colossal 
group  of  the  Nile  in  the  Vatican,  and  also  the  reclining  statue 
of  the  Tiber.  Do  not  think  me  audacious — this  thought  has 
often  been  mine :  Could  some  one  authorize  me  to  model  an 
addition  to  either  of  these  masterpieces,  I  would  append  an 
attribute  mithought  of  l)y  the  ancient  sculptors  who  designed 
them,  and  that  would  be  some  representation  of  art-treasures, 
engi-aved  and  chiselled  stones,  which  these  great  rivers  have 
o-unrdcd  tliroujjh  centuries  of  vandalism  in  their  hidden  beds, 
washing  them  daily  with  cooling  Hoods,  and  which  happily 
are  now  and  again  rendered  up  to  vis,  a  people  truly  appreciat- 
ing them,  and  receiving  them  not  only  as  mementoes,  but  as 
precious  tidings — messages  from  the  masters  of  ancient  art, 
who,  alas!  unlike  their  works,  will  not  or  cannot  come  to  us 
again.  These  I  feel  to  be  attributes  pertaining  to  these  rivers, 
which  liavc  unwittingly  stored  so  nnicli  for  us. 

Prof  C.  W.  King  of  Cambridge  University,  England,  writ- 
ing to  me  at  Paris  some  years  ago,  concluded  witli  some  lines 
in  Latin,  the  sum  of  which  was  that  in  a  litcrar}^  sense  "the 
denizens  of  the   Hudson   and   the    Klioue   are   to-day   drinking 

336 


i\t!i!' 

I  [liiii 


0. 


,■11 ., .     -.I'll    ,-<ll  '  ■  -, 


Wm 


STATUES    OF    THE   XILE   AXD    TIBER. 


339 


together."     (The  reference  is  to  his  books  being  read  in  our 
new  country  and  in  the  old.) 

To  which  add  tliis  thought  of  mine :  Some  of  the  ti-easures 
in  my  collection  have  been  transported  from  their  resting- 
places  in  the  Nile  and  the  Tiber  to  exist  anew  in  this  land 
of  the  Mississippi  and  the  Delaware. 


-m 


ELEYEN    THOUSAND    VIRGINS. 


AVhex  at  Colop-ne  viewing  the  Romanesque  and  Gothic 
iluircli  of  .St.  Ursuhi,  a  commissionnaire  of  the  town,  aware 
of  my  pursuit,  came  to  me  and  proposed  he  shoukl  take  me 
to  see  a  collection  of  antiquities.  "Agreed,  when  I  have  fin- 
ished with  these  bones,"  was  my  reply.  The  legend  is  tliat 
saintly  Ursula  set  out  with  eleven  thousand  virgins  to  join 
the  army  of  Maximus  in  Armorica.  Taking  the  wnjng  route, 
at  Cologne  they  were  set  upon  l»y  tlie  barbarian  lluns  and 
massacred.  Here  is  the  mausoleum  of  tliese  virgins,  eleven 
thousand,  all  full  told,  entombed  or  displaved  in  every  sec- 
tion of  this  sacred  place,  beneath,  around,  above  us,  in  cases, 
visible  through  dusty  aged  glass — some  as  they  perished ;  some, 
perhaps  more  virgin  tlian  the  rest,  are  gilded  and  rest  in  cost- 
lier metallic  cases.  Turning  from  the  weird  scene,  I  joined 
the  cicerone,  ^^ho  ^\•aited  the  while  near  bv,  and  as  we  started 
out,  he  said,  ''You've  had  enougli  of  this;  Til  show  you  some- 
thing better  now  than  bones." 

These  guides  do  not  take  a  stranger  directly  to  the  goal,  lest 
he  should  too  quickly  learn  the  way :  they  lead  and  twist  you 
round  manv  corners  as  they  will.  Tliis  man  conducted  me  by 
narrow  wavs,  not  streets,  in  a  directi(^)n  I  never  since  could 
find. 

However,  we  arrived  at  the  musemn  of  an  old  Bavarian  who 
had  relics  of  the  pencil  and  tlie  chisel  of  one  whose  liones  he 
in  the  ground  of  tlie  cemetery  of  St.  John  at  Nuremberg.  My 
visit  was  employed  in  the  inspection  of  etchings,  carvings  in 


340 


ELEVEN   THOUSAND    VIRGINS. 


343 


wood  and  bone,  and  basso-rilievos  on  stone.  The  purchase 
of  No.  761,  Case  T  T,  the  cameo  of  Raphael  by  Albrecht 
Diirer,  signed  b}'  liini  S  1514,  completed  the  hour's  pleasure. 
No,  not  quite,  for  now  and  then  this  Eaphael  reminds  me  of 
those  crooked  lanes  that  brought  me  to  its  acquisition.  Why 
rob  this  legend  of  its  interest  bv  questioning  if  there  was  a 
virgin  in  this  troupe  whose  name  was  Undecimilla  ? 


CAELBERG    GYPSIES. 


Ix  the  summer  of  1875,  wlit-n  in  the  mirth  uf  Sweden,  I 
was  sti'olling  one  afternoon  near  the  grounds  of  the  royal 
palace  at  Carlberg.  This  group  of  buildings  was  originally 
erected  by  Karlson,  a  natural  sdii  df  Charles  IX..  early  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  but  was  brought  to  its  present  tine  condi- 
tion by  King  Oscar,  who  that  afternoon  was  entei-taining  some 
guests. 

Tiring  of  ^^ewing  the  enjoyment  of  the  royal  part}-  in  the 
enclosed  section  of  the  palace-garden,  a  pleasure  in  which  we 
could  not  further  participate,  we  strayed  through  the  jjark  to 
the  old  round  church  Solna  Kyrka,  and  thence  followed  a  rap- 
idlv-running  stream  which  flows  through  the  forest  into  the 
Edsvick,  until  my  attention  was  drawn  to  a  curling  column  of 
smoke  rising  from  a  primitively  arranged  wood  tire-place,  with 
five  black  stones  and  as  many  crossed  sticks,  upon  wliicli  hung 
a  great  black  pot :  soon  Ave  came  to  the  highway,  near  which, 
encamped  against  some  moss-covered  rocks  just  on  the  borders 
of  a  village  near  Ubuksdal,  was  a  party  of  Cliingany,  dark 
men  of  Zend,  Himgarian  gypsies:  tliere  were  tifteen  or 
eighteen  in  the  band.  For  the  moment  the}-  were  not  forag- 
ing nor  pursuing  any  of  their  money-gaining  avocations,  but, 
in  a  picturesque  group,  listening  to  a  story  which  was  being 
related  to  them  bv  their  vojvode  or  count,  as  the  leader  of 
gypsies  is  now  generall}'  known.  All  gypsies  speak  tolerably 
well  man\-  of  tlie  continental  languages;  in  foct,  they  are 
linguists,    their    leaders    speaking   well   five   or   six    languages. 


344 


CARLBERG    GYPSIES.  347 

Tliis  count  was  speakino-  German,  so  that  I  was  enabled  to 
reserve  for  my  jom-nal  some  idea  of  his  storv,  whicli  lie  Avas 
telling  as  a  falde  is  told,  that  its  moi'al  may  serve  as  a  prof- 
itable lesson. 

It  appears  tliat  there  had  been  some  susioicion  cast  on  the 
fraternity  of  having  caused  the  sudden  death  of  several  sheep 
by  sowing  a  dangerous  drug  in  the  pasture-field,  witli  a  view 
to  after-theft.  His  story  was  intended  to  warn  the  l)and  lest 
they  should  get  themselves  expelled  from  the  eountr\-.  The 
following  incidents  are  remembered  of  the  count's  narrative: 

Valankotf,  a  Caxu'asian,  and  o])ticiaii  1»\-  j)rofes.sion,  had 
distinguished  liiniself  1)y  jjreparing  rare  specimens  of  the 
Diatomacece  and  Desniid'ue  for  tlie  microscope,  and  had  thus 
access  to  many  seats  of  learning  in  liis  country,  and  princi- 
pally in  the  nortli,  at  ^loscow  and   St.  Petersbiirg. 

One  of  the  professors  in  Breslau,  his  adopted  city,  who 
had  been  in  close  intimacy  with  him,  noticing  that  he  had 
suddenly  become  melanclioly,  determined  to  speak  witli  him 
on  the  subject:  "  Dear  Valankoff,  you  seem  troubled  recently; 
you  are  not  tlic  same  man — something  must  annoy  you.  Con- 
fide in  me,  my  friend :  ])erliaps  I  may  comfort  you."  Val- 
ankofi'  finally  unbosomed  himself;   and  this  was 

VALANKOFF'S  STORY. 
"Although  by  birth  a  Bagratide  (^f  Titlis  in  the  Caucasus, 
the  city  of  varied  costumes  of  Asiatic  character,  1  have  spent 
much  of  jny  life  abroad.  At  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years, 
having  nearly  exhausted  my  resources  for  obtaining  -new  .speci- 
mens of  the  lower  forms  of  life  for  microscopic  sul)jects,  and 
having  tlie  desire  of  travel.  I  quitted  Tiflis  and  travelled 
through  France,   Ital\-,  and   finally  Hungary,  in   search  of  in- 


348  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

finitesimal  wonders,  when,  alas !  one  da^',  on  a  lone  morass 
near  Bazias  on  the  Danube,  while  deeply  engaged  in  reach- 
ing for  material  in  the  turljid  water,  I  was  captured  and 
canned  off  by  a  band  of  gypsies,  who,  strange  to  say,  became 
so  interested  in  the  wonders  of  niA'  microscope  that  they  spared 
my  life.  I  used  to  take  turbid  drops  of  water,  jjlace  them  on 
tlieir  thumb-nails,  and  then,  directing  their  thum1)s  into  the 
proper  focus  beneath  the  lenses,  tell  them  to  behold  the  living 
world  they  held.  I  would  call  them  around  me  and  exhibit 
vegetable  fibres  which  to  the  naked  eve  were  void  of  any 
special  interest,  yet  when  shown  to  them  vmder  the  micro- 
scope seemed  to  be  animal  organizations  with  motions  and 
life. 

"  'Thou  art  the  prince  of  sorcerers,'  said  one  of  them,  'and 
shalt  serve  us  with  tliv  science.'  I  could  not  escape,  and, 
finding  the  romantic  situation  sufficiently  to  my  taste,  I  de- 
cided to  content  myself  until  a  more  fiivorable  opportunity 
should  set  me  free.  Months  passed,  and,  having  pleased  them, 
they  compelled  me  to  become  more  fully  one  of  them,  which 
they  accomplished  by  receiving  me  by  due  form  and  curious 
ceremony.  After  two  vears  they  gave  me  as  wife  the  beau- 
tiful daue'hter  of  tlieir  head-man.  After  vears  of  wandering- 
life  I  was  more  tightly  fettered,  when  they  unanimously  in- 
vested me  with  nil  the  autlioritv  of  count  or  leader  of  the 
band,  and  I  saw  startling  adventures  with  them  in  many  parts 
of  the  C'cmtinent,  until,  upon  the  death  of  my  wife  in  Finland, 
I  determined  to  escape,  which  I  accomplished  one  night  in 
August,  1837.  Sailing  out  of  Helsingfors  on  a  trading  vessel 
boimd  for  Dantzig,  from  thence  I  proceeded  by  stages  to  the 
village  of  ^Mochbern  (^n  the  Wt'isthitz,  within  three  miles  of 
Breslau,    which    city   1    visited    daily,    and    eventually   resided 


CARLBERG    GYPSIES.  351 

there,  and  by  the  renewal  of  my  scientific  i)iirsuits  made 
many  valuable  friends  among  the  professors  of  the  university 
and  other  scientitic  bodies,  and,  having-  esteemed  your  friend- 
ship above  all  others,  you  shall  now  know  why  I  appear  so 
troubled.  For  some  davs  past  I  have  noticed  a  company  of 
gypsies  encamped  near  the  banks  of  the  Oder,  close  to  the 
village  where  I  formerly  resided.  I  have  watched  them,  and 
fear  that  thev  are  about  to  ixillute  the  water  in  several  wells 
within  the  city  by  casting  dangerous  drugs  therein,  in  revenge 
for  the  manner  in  which  they  have  been  treated  by  the  munici- 
pality of  this  city ;  and  my  fears  are  confirmed,  for  last  night, 
as  1  was  strolling  on  the  Rathhaus  Platz  near  the  Pillory,  I 
saw  two  of  them  stealthily  approach  the  great  bronze  drink- 
ing-fountain,  Ijut,  seeing  they  were  observed,  they  slipped 
awa}'." 

In  tine,  Valankoff  and  his  professor  friend  formed  a  com- 
mittee of  vigilance.  Several  of  the  gypsies  were  caught  in 
different  cpiarters  of  the  city,  all  having  packages  of  some 
noxious  drug ;  two-thirds  of  the  band  were  arrested  and 
imprisoned. 

Havuig  finished  the  story,  the  count  or  head-man  added 
some  serious  counsel  to  the  moral  of  the  narrative,  and  be- 
sought them  to  maintain  a  better  reputation,  so  that  no  such 
wickedness  could  be  reasonably  charged  to  any  of  his  com- 
munity. The  gypsies  then  proceeded  to  their  various  avoca- 
tions— the  smith  to  the  shoeing  of  horses,  a  number  of  which 
were  Avaiting  his  attention  ;  the  tinker  to  mend  the  villagers' 
pans ;  and  the  foraging  party  set  out  to  see  \Ahat  they  might 
prey  iipon. 

Two  young  men  were  phiv'ing  on  zithers  for  the  comfort 
of  the  fortune-teller  and  sorceress,  who  sat  in  her  wagon  wait- 


3.52  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

ing  for  the  credulous:  slie  was  aided  l)y  lier  daughter,  an  olive- 
complexioiu'd,  1  night-eyed,  gaTi(lil}-(h'essed  young  woman  of 
eighteen  or  nineteen  years  of  aii'e,  with  silver  rines  iu  her 
pierced  ears,  who  was  trying  to  entice  some  of  the  visitors 
to  look,  through  her  mother's  eyes,  into  the  mirror  of  fate  or 
fortune.  Knowing  that  the.se  Hungarian  gypsies  frequently 
carry  on  the  a^ttUirc  of  antiquary,  I  always  yisit  them,  when 
possible,  with  the  ho])e  of  making  an  acquisition ;  so  I  man- 
aged to  engage  the  attention  of  the  damsel  with  pierced  ears, 
and  soon  found  she  had  quite  a  number  of  trinkets  which  she 
was  willing  to  trade ;  but  on  lier  hand  \\as  an  Etruscan  ring 
which  interested  me,  and  I  tried  all  in  my  power  to  buy  it. 
We  finally  came  to  terms  with  one  pro\ision,  and  that  was  if 
her  mother  the  sorceress  consented,  which  hap})ily  for  me  she 
did.  I  counted  out  the  ju-ice  in  kroner  into  her  dirty  hand, 
and  received  the  ring,  Avhich  is  now  No.  531,  Case  F  F,  in  my 
collection. 

Having  accomplisheil  this,  we  moved  on,  admiring  the 
fruits  and  harvest-fields  raised  and  cultured  b)'  the  indus- 
trious Swedes.  With  my  admiration  came  a  thought  of  re- 
jxret  that  these  dark  men  of  Zend  would  fasten  themselves 
like  parasites  on  the  district  and  its  agricultural  riches  umil 
nothing  more  was  within  their  reach;  they  then  would  re- 
commence their  wanderings. 


< 


BELGIUM^S    CONTRIBUTION^. 


Whex  (lili,i;ently  seeking  specimens,  at  times  tlie  mention 
of  some  esjjeeially  interesting  gem  has  awakened  a  desire  at 
least  to  see  it;  perhaps  a  drawing  even  is  found;  I  enter  on 
its  pursuit,  and  tinall}',  it  may  he  in  after  years,  suddenly, 
unexpectedly,  it  presents  itself  Many  such  instances  can  I 
record  or  rcmend^er. 

There  was  one  French  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance  who, 
known  and  honored  liy  his  king,  lived  happily  in  France  in 
the  society  of  learned  men,  associates  of  the  Academy  of 
France;  I  had  seen  his  small  cabinet  of  stones,  the  inspec- 
tion and  study  of  which  as  early  as  1830  he  had  often  en- 
joyed in  the  societ}-  of  Longperier  and  other  savants  of  that 
time.  Change  came ;  the  monarchy  fell ;  Raubotin  left  his 
native  land  and  found  a  refuge  in  the  neutral  kingdom  of 
Belgium;  it  was  my  pleasure  to  find  liim  there;  lie  was  aged, 
verffinsr  on  the  close  of  life.  I  enioNcd  tlie  view  of  these 
rare  stones,  and,  wliat  was  lietter  for  my  coimtry,  the  inter- 
vieAV  at  an  end,  had  induced  him  to  part  with  a  number  of 
his  collection ;  they  became  mine.  One  I  had  years  before 
sketched  from  an  old  l;)ook  at  Costantino  Lanzi's  at  Rome, 
little  thinking  I  should  ever  tind  the  original.  It  is  a  beau- 
tiful light  sard,  one  and  a  quarter  inches  in  breadth,^  repre- 
senting facetiou.sly  two  Genii — the  Genius  Astuzia,  symbolic 
of  knavery,  and  the  Genius  Ingenuita,  symbolic  of  ingenu- 
ousness. 

'Xo.  1357,  Case  00  00. 


355 


356  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

The  Genius  of  Iiifjenuousness  stands  before  his  large  bas- 
ket ]iea})ing  full  of  oranges;  he  is  startled  b}-  an  apparition 
in  the  form  of  a  bodiless  head  or  mask  as  tall  as  he,  the  1)eard 
toucliini;-  the  uround  as  it  advances,  of  course  concealing  the 
Genius  of  Knavery:  tlie  mouth  is  open,  and,  instead  of  a 
tongue,  a  human  arm  and  hand  pmtrude  and  the  liand  i;-ath- 
ers  the  oranges. 

Also  a  charming  antique  camed'  in  the  Avhite  clinlcedonv- 
onyx,  representing  in  the  finest  and  most  jninute  execution 
"The  propitiatory  sacrifice  preceding  the  departure  of  Ajax, 
Achilles,  and  Ulysses  for  the  war  of  Ti-oy;"  there  are  two 
sacerdotals — one  in  the  act  of  pouring  a  libation,  tlie  other 
giving  countenance  to  the  ceremony  h\  his  presence. 

Also"  one  of  tliose  rare  antiipie  cameos  in  chalcedony- 
onyx  with  a  tinge  of  sapphire,  representing  the  vestal  cus- 
todians of  the  Palladium.  The  Temple  of  Yesta,  created  by 
Numa  Pompilius,  was  situated  l)etween  the  Palatine  and  the 
Capitoline  hills,  not  far  from  the  temjde  of  the  Penates ;  there 
burned  an  eternal  tire  AAhich  ^'esta  had  brought  from  Troy. 
The  cameo  gives  a  section  of  the  portico  of  the  temple ;  the 
female  figures  represented  are  two  A^estals  seated,  each  bear- 
ing torches  syndiolic  of  tlieir  attendance  on  the  altar  wliere 
these  virgin  priestesses  alternately  guarde(l  the  perjietual  hre. 
The  Vestal  on  the  riiiht  presses  to  her  breast  the  Palladium, 
the  sacred  image  of  ^linerva.  This  archaic  effigv  Mas  taken 
by  Diomedes  from  Troy ^  when  that  city  was  besieged;  was 
carried  thence  to  Lavinium,  and  afterward  to  Pome,  where  in 
this  temple  it  was  guarded  by  the  Vestals,  who  with  the  })eople 
trusted  that  so  long  as  they  could  safely  hold  it  there,  Rome 

'  No.  1360,  Case  O  O  O  O.  »  No.  282,  Case  Q. 

'  See  Interesting  Incidents,  Kome,  page  395. 


Actual  Size. 


BELGIUM'S    CONTRIBUTION.  359 

was  secvire.  The  male  figure  on  the  left  is  Jupiter  Piste )r; 
the  one  on  the  right  is  probably  Apollo,  as  he  was  believed 
to  have  been  one  of  the  Penates. 

Another  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  interesting  of  all 
my  treasures;'  it  is  a  cameo  in  maculated  agate-onyx  about 
one  and  an  eighth  inches  broad  representing  "The  Fall  of 
Phaethon."  A  belt  occupies  the  centre  field  of  the  gem,  touch- 
ing the  horizon ;  ecliptic  in  form,  for  the  line  of  the  direction 
of  the  greater  light-giving  orb  in  its  daily  circuit  indicates  a 
course  in  that  form.  How  often  at  sunrise  or  at  evening  have 
I  imag-ined  that  the  great  orb  was  almost  within  my  reach! 
The  under  or  southern  side  of  this  belt  is  less  lioldly  indicated, 
giving  the  effect  of  roundness  and  of  distance,  while  the  upper 
northern  section  is  given  in  higher  relief. 

Throughout  the  belt  are  engraved  the  signs  or  characters 
of  the  Zodiac;  these  are  exquisitely  delineated.  Among  the 
sio-ns  more  easilv  discerned  are  Taurus  on  the  right,  Aries, 
Pisces,  Capriconms,  Scorpio,  Libra,  Leo,  and  Gemini.  In  the 
upper  field  of  the  cameo  are  the  planets,  Boreas  the  nortli 
wind,  and  Jupiter  with  his  eagle ;  in  the  lower  field  is  the 
river  Po,  the  sea,  the  sisters,  the  poplars,  and  (Jygnus ;  forming 
together  the  gem-illustration  of  the  following  legend: 

Phaethon,  son  of  Helios'-  and  ( 'lymene,  playing  one  day  with 
Epaso,  had  a  dispute.  P.paso  reproached  Pluiethon,  saying, 
"You  are  not  the  son  of  Helios,  as  you  pretend."  Phaethon, 
provoked,  went  to  lami-nt  with  his  mother  Clymene,  wdio  coun- 
selled him  to  go  to  his  father  to  inform  himself  more  certainly. 
Phaethon  entered  into  the  palace  of  the  Sun,  and  found  his 
father  seated  on  his  throne  brilliant  with  gold  and  gems.  As 
soon  as  Apollo   saw  him   enter  and  heard  him,   with  benign 

'  No  1309,  Case  O  U  O  U.  ^  Apollo. 


360 


INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 


countenance  he  swore  to  accord  liini  whatever  mi(>-ht  be  his 
request,  in  evidence  of  his  paternal  affection.  The  presump- 
tuous son  asked  tliat  he  might  be  permitted  to  guide  his  father's 
chariot  for  tlie  space  of  twent}--f( uir  liours.  Apollo  remon- 
strated with  him,  but  was  powerless  to  dissuade  him  from 
his  imprudent  intention ;  contrary  to  his  better  judgment,  he 
finally  consented  and  consigned  his  chariot  to  Pliaethon,  after 
having  instructed  him  in  all  that  he  shoidd  do.  Pliaethon  had 
but  begun  his  career  on  the  horizon  when  the  horses,  becom- 
ing disobedient  to  the  hand  of  their  new  condnctor,  who  was 
unable  to  check  them,  \^■ere  soon  unmanageable,  and  Pliaethon 
was  thrown  from  tlie  cliariot :  he  fell  into  the  sea  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river  Po,  and  was  drowned. 

The  two  sisters  and  Epaso  grieved  and  wejit  at  his  fatal 
misadventure ;  their  tears  were  changed  into  beads  of  amber ; 
the  Heliadae,  his  sisters,  who  had  aided  him  at  his  departure, 
wei'e  metamorphosed  into  poplar  trees,  and  his  friend  into  a 
swan   (Cygnus),  Ijy  \'\hich  name  he  is  known  in  the  legend. 

All  these  incidents  are  engraved  on  the  cameo,  and  are 
recognizable  under  a  magnifving-glass.  (See  also  antique 
paste  intaglio,   Xo.   11 'J2,  Case  V  V  V.) 


THE  FALL  OF  PHAETHOX. 
(Ejilnrged.) 


ASTRAGALUS. 


Some  years  ago  I  left  Rome  late  in  the  month  of  March : 
even  in  Venice  and  other  northern  Italian  cities  it  was  already 
too  warm.  AVe  passed  the  j\Iont  St.  Gothard,  and  in  a  city 
mantled  with  snow  I  very  unexpectedly  met  with  several 
curious  stones.  One  particularly  comes  into  the  category  of 
gems  that  through  tlie  study  and  research  necessary  to  unravel 
their  history  or  meaning  have  led  me  into  pleasant  literary 
fields,  where  often,  when  seeking  some  special  suhject,  I  found 
myself  sun'ouuded  by  other  interesting  facts,  and,  engrossed 
l)v  the  recreation,  was  often  suiiwised,  when  tlnough,  to  find 
tliat  I  liad  gleaned  from  many  sources  sterling  fiicts  and  fan- 
cies till  then  unknown. 

I  never  need  ask,  AYhat  shall  I  read  next  ?  I  have  hut  to 
turn  to  any  of  a  thousand  gems  and  seek  its  historj"  or  sig- 
nificance with  the  assurance  of  being  well  rewarded.  So  this 
snowv  dav  in  a  mountain-town  found  me  in  possession  of  gem 
No.  948,  Case  H  H  H,  a  talismanic  ring.  I  did  not  under- 
stand it   wlien  I  fomid   it :    at  first   it  appeared  to  be  a  seal 


303 


364  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

in  four  Semitic  characters,  perhaps  Hebrew.  Many  a  day  I 
turned  these  tigures  into  every  position,  seeking  every  im- 
aginary form  in  hope  of  reveahng  its  secret,  till,  after  seeing 
some  urchins  on  the  ground  before  a  butcher-sliop  jdaying 
a  game  with  several  small  mutton-bones,  I  saw  also  the  form 
of  a  bone  on  my  seal,  and,  meeting  Dr.  Dresser,  the  learned 
archa?ologist,  passing  from  the  Roman  Forum  to  the  German 
College  on  the  Capitoline  Hill,  where  I  was  also  going,  I 
showed  it  to  him,  and  he  recognized  the  astragalus  in  four 
positions  clearly  detined.  My  pleasure  can  readily  be  imag- 
ined.    I  divined  the  whole  fable  of  this  talisman. 

The  ancient  possessor  or  he  who  designed  it,  ^\ith  experi- 
ence in  the  primitive  Roman  game,  had  probably  so  reasoned 
with  himself:  "I  hazard  my  money,  one  denarius  after  another, 
on  the  casting  of  this  four-faced  bone,  with  the  risk  that  this 
or  that  face  will  turn  u|) ;  yet  when  I  select  for  my  venture 
the  posterior  face,  lo  !  the  turn-up  is  the  anterior,  or  vice  versa. 
Now  I  make  this  good  resolution :  I'll  have  a  talismanic  stone, 
with  a  representation  of  the  astragalus  in  its  four  positions,  so 
that  when  the  die  is  cast  I  shall  have  it  however  it  may  fall, 
and  m"\'  talisman  shall  keep  me  from  further  play."  The  game 
of  alea  or  dice  has  often  been  considered  the  same  as  this,  but 
the  dice  game  was  more  complicated,  four  of  the  six-sided  tali 
or  tesserse  being  marked  with  spots,  so  that  the  sum  of  the 
numbers  of  sjiots  on  two  opposite  fiices  always  made  seven, 
thus,  ;;;   and ;  ;   and    •' — . 

But  in  the  game  used  by  the  astragalizontes,  as  they  were 
called,  who  played  with  the  instep-bone,  the  chances  were 
decided  by  the  different  faces  as  they  presented  themselves 
when  thrown — the  inferior  or  superior,  the  anterior  or  })os- 
terior,    the    only    designation    of    the  faces    of    the    astragalus 


< 


< 


> 

< 


O 
O 

o 
o 


I 

t> 
.J 

< 

< 

PS 


ASTRAGALUS.  367 

being-  its  distinctive  form  in  its  various  positions.  A  horn 
cup  was  sometimes  used  when  this  primitive  game  was  played 
in  tlie  open  air,  but  generally  the  two  hands  w^ere  so  adjusted 
together  with  tlie  palms  and  fingers  arched  as  to  form  a  cavity 
in  which  the  astragali  were  sliakeii  and  from  which  they  were 
thrown. 


Would  you  see  how  it  was  done  ?^  Turn  with  me  your 
thoughts  to  Rome :  do  you  know  the  Portico  of  Octavia, 
erected  by  Augustus  and  dedicated  to  his  sister,  wdiere  a 
paved  way  passed  over  great  gray  flat  stones  to  the  Pescaria, 
the  old  marble-tabled  fish-market  ?  Even  so  are  the  premises 
to-day :  true,  the  pediment  of  the  colonnade  is  crumbled,  the 
ornate  caps  and  several  fluted  colunms  have  gone  to  rest 
witli  the  multitude  who  daily  thronged  this  market.  Did  you 
ever  close  your  eyes  in  this  nineteenth  century  to  view  more 
vividly  some  scene  in  ancient  times  ?  I  should  like  to  show 
you  one.  Just  on  these  very  flat  stones  between  the  Portico 
and  the  Pescaria  appeared  daily  one  Demochares,  a  showman, 
trainer  of  animals,  manager  of  a  troupe  of  gladiators,  and  Avho 
had  great  numbers  and  varieties  of  beasts  from  all  lands,  which 
he  kept  as  condemned  criminals  in  living  tombs.  His  profes- 
sion gave  him  already  much  excitement ;  still,  he  Avanted  recrea- 
tion ;  his  tents  were  in  Trastevere,  and  for  some  hours  each  day 
he  was  glad  to  change  the  scene.  His  course  led  him  over  the 
Tiber  by  the  Ponte  Sisto,  where  he  was  usually  joined  bv  Artos 
and  Aristomenes.  The  trio  sjTed  their  way  to  tlie  Portico  of 
Octavia,  and,  seating  themselves  in  a  corner  against  the  flank- 
ing stones  of  its  steps,  in  picturesque  attitudes,  as  though  posed 
for  a  tableau,  they  played  astragalus.      A  diagram  with  five 

■  Romance  by  the  author  to  ilhistrate  tlie  game. 


3G8  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

portions  was  drawn  on  the  stones  or  gronnd,  tViur  tor  tlie 
already  mentiont'd  positions,  and  one  in  case  the  astragalus 
fell  on  its  end;  the  latter  paid  doulile  and  seldom  occurred, 
whilst  the  other  four  paid  even  chances.  The  two  or  three 
seated  there,  with  Deniochares  ruling  as  banker,  were  not  the 
only  plavers ;  in  fact,  they  were  seldom  losers.  In  this  case 
it  was  a  preconcerted  game  for  fleecing  the  passing  idlers ; 
hence  thev  had  selected  this  nook  close  upon  such  a  well- 
trodden  thoriuni'hfare,  the  lounyers  from  the  cafes  of  the  Thea- 
tre  of  Marcellus  near  hy,  and  those  from  the  temples  of  Jupiter 
Stator  and  Juno,  those  en  route  for  Trastevere ;  and  of  the 
multitude  repairing  to  the  market  a  large  proportion  \vere 
sure  to  linger  a  while  looking  on  at  the  game.  To  all  of  them 
was  accorded  the  privilege  of  taking  a  I'isk  with  a  few  of  their 
denarii,  and  thus  almost  daily  this  niinhle-tingered  trio  netted 
a  considerable  protit.  The  losses,  divided  among  so  many 
contributors,  left  few  dissatisfied,  and,  as  is  well  known,  though 
the  hazard  was  a  losing  one,  it  seemed  only  the  more  to  impel 
the  player  to  })ursue  the  phantom  \\hich  naively  promises 
better  another  time. 

This  talisman  is  mine.  May  we  all  profit  by  its  salutary 
powers!  In  voutli  ri.sk  not  the  value  of  a  single  hair  on  chance; 
thou  mayst  want  it  in   old  age. 


« 


w 

D 


h" 

K 

w 

o 


FRANCE. 


Fkaxce  lias  vieldeil  me  sparingly  of  lit-r  treasures.  The 
oi-eat  citv  markets  of  the  world  are  not  the  best  sources  whence 
such  as  we,  can  add  unto  our  store:  it  is  ratlicr  in  less-fre- 
quented paths,  even  to  tliis  day.  tliat  now  and  then  one  meets 
with  objects  of  antique  worrli  Iiiddt-n  and  unappreciated.  \et 
with  the  occasional  dispersioir  of  household  effects  through 
change  of  fortune,  age,  or  death  these  treasures  ipiit  their 
restina'-places  to  be  disposed  of  l)eneath  the  soulless  gavel  of 
Hotel  Drouot.  Thus  throu-li  the  saU-  of  the  art-inheritances 
of  an  old  fauiilv  came  to  me  the  magniticeut  antique  cameo 
No.   127,   Ca.se   II. 

As  the  mass  of  religious  pictures  which  hang  upon  the 
wall>.  thougli  not  al\va\'s  adorn,  the  countless  sacred  edifices 
throughout  the  Ea.steni  world  are  expre.ssions  of  faith  in  the 
saints  and  martvrs  there  depicted,  and  are  held  up  for  men's 
reverence,  so  this  cameo  is  one  of  those  souxenirs  ot  the  an- 
cient Eomans:  it  is  tyjiical  of  the  recognized  religion  whose 
earthlv  entliroiienient  was  upon  the  Evantine  and  the  Capi- 
toline  hills.  'lliere  are  (counting  the  attendant  birds)  six 
figures  on  the  gem;  they  are  before  the  portico  of  the  tem- 
ple huilt  by  Tarquinius  on  the  Capitoline  Ildl.  Jupiter,  king 
of  Heaven,  Protector  of  men — in  fact,  their  heavenly  Father 
— is  represeuted  as  seated,  thunderbolt  in  hand,  symbidic  of 
his  power  as  Touans  to  connnand  thunder  and  lightning  au<l 
brino-  them  from  the  heavens  at  his  will.  He  was  also  re- 
o-arded  as  the  protector  of  both  the  internal  and  the  foreign 
diplomacy  of  the  state.     Above  his  head  the  eagle,  an  imper- 


371 


372  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

sonation  of  liiinself.  All  birds  were  said  to  fly  upon  his 
errands. 

(_)u  tlic  left  of  tlic  portico  stands  Juno,  qneen  of  Heaven 
and  patroness  of  women;  she  is  attended  by  her  favorite  pea- 
cock. The  conjugal  rehition  of  Juno  to  Ju|)iter  is  indicated 
in  this  cameo — where  she  stands  on  the  right — by  her  hand 
resting  on  Jupiter's  shoukler.  While  her  husband  governed 
more  particnlarlv  the  affairs  of  men  and  of  state,  Juno  pre- 
sided especially  over  the  domestic  affairs  of  the  household, 
in  ^\lli(•ll  naturally  women  were  occupied. 

On  the  right  of  Jupiter  stands  his  daughter  Minerva,  the 
third  of  the  Capitoline  divhiities,  attended  by  her  syndjolic 
bird,  the  owl,  her  messenger  by  night,  ^\•ho  with  visage  almost 
humiui  looks  wisely  on  the  world.  Miner^•a  is  represented  with 
helmet  and  shield,  because  she  ])rotected  the  military  forces 
and  was  believed  to  send  victory  to  those  who  sought  her 
aright,  and  appointed  fete-days  for  aged  laborers  and  chil- 
dren. Not  least  among  the  lilessings  of  her  earthly  mis- 
sion were  the  hours  of  rest  and  diversion  enjoyed  by  weary 
women  and  1)v  children  freed  on  those  occasions  from  all  scho- 
lastic penalties. 

The  partly-obliterated  Greek  inscription  in  raised  letters 
announces  them  to  be  the  sweet-loved  principal  gods.  The 
ornamented  cornice  about  the  contour  is  characteristic  of  the 
gem-engraving  of  the  age.     Tlie  cameo  is  Grajco-Romau. 


In  the  system  of  mythology  there  w;is  a  jierfect  concep- 
tion of  the  primitive  and  fundamental  princi2)les  of  legislation 
and  government:  the  power  was  vested  in  a  conJjined  council 
of  ruling  divinities;  all  men  looked  to  them,  and  in  their  super- 


o 

< 


o 


a; 
c 


z 


FRANCE.  375 

stition  were  controlled  l)y  tliem ;  emperors,  senators,  all  states- 
men, leaders  of  the  legions,  all  men-at-arms,  consnlted  their 
oracles  and  went  to  these  gods  in  stone  and  bronze  heseech- 
iny  their  protection  and  their  blessing-  ere  they  went  to  con- 
flict. j\Iaidens  and  women  fell  ]hA\>\\'  their  throne  seeking 
their  o-uidance  and  sn])p(>rt.  It  may  therefore  be  reasonably 
snpposed  that  engraved  gems  of  these  proportions  were  more 
than  sonvenirs:  they  ^^■ere  loved  images  of  the  gods  in  whom 
these  people  trnsted,  and  on  which  they  looked  when  imable 
to  present  themselves  IjetVtre  the  great  temple. 


From  a  like  sonrce  is  No.  181,  Case  L,  the  cameo  Canobns. 
Among  the  Egyptians,  Canolnis  or  Canopns  was  \\orsliipped 
as  the  deity  giving  and  controlling  Immidity ;  her  blessings 
were  bestowed  by  day  throngh  inundations  of  the  great  river, 
and  by  night  from  silent  star-lit  skies  she  gave  copious  showers 
of  dew.  It  was  not  strange  that  men  revered  an  element  so 
potent  and  so  accommodating.  By  day  they  tilled  their  iields, 
rearing  the  tender  plants  that  sprung  from  latent  seeds  in  fur- 
rows deep.  Each  daj-'s  Avork  o'er,  on  bended  knees  their 
evening  prayers  were  raised  to  their  Canobus;  they  fell  to 
rest  and  sleep,  and,  waking  with  the  rising  day,  tliey  found 
each  morn  their  answered  jjrayers  had  given  to  all  nature  re- 
freshing dew,  ripening  and  mellowing  their  lentils  so  quickly 
that  thrice  within  each  season  they  had  i)lenteons  crops  to  feed 
both  man  and  beast  and  stc^-e  away  for  times  of  need. 

Their  jiriests,  as  they  are  wont  to  do,  instructed  the  people 
to  confide  much  of  this  praying  to  their  care  and  to  exalt  the 
power  of  Canol)us,  made  images  in  terra-cotta  like  to  the  figure 
on   ni)-   cameo,  filled   them  with  water,   and,   stopping   hidden 


376  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

apertures  with  wax,  would  call  the  peoph^  on  Canobus's  festal 
day  to  see  her  miraeidous  power:  a  ([uickly-l)urnini>-  tire  of 
Avood  was  kindled;  then  the  large  effigv  of  Canobus  was  set 
upon  the  flames;  the  wax  invisibly  melting,  the  freed  water 
com'sing  through  the  Are  extinguished  it,  ])roving  to  the  peo- 
ple how  great  indeed  was  their  Canobus. 


In  the  exquisite  cameo  No.  IPioS,  Case  O  O  O  O,  Ariadne 
and  Bacchiis,  Ariadne  is  seated  on  the  rooks  of  Dia,  where 
Bacchus  found  her;  at  her  feet  is  her  panther.  The  male 
figure  is  Bacchus,  bearing  in  his  hand  a  thyrsus,  his  javelin 
with  point  in  the  form  of  a  pine  cone,  his  head  wreathed  with 
ivy  and  graj^e-leaves :  his  hand  lovinglv  jdaced  on  sad  Ari- 
adne's shoulder,  he  is  stimulated  in  his  amour,  \\hich  is  also 
indicated  by  the  presence  of  Cupid.  The  animars  skin  and 
head  Avhich  drai)es  his  right  arm  is  of  the  lascivious  ram. 

Ariadne,  here  represented  with  a  i)anther,  emblematic  of 
the  princij)al  and  most  important  incident  in  her  life,  her  love 
for  Theseus,  was  the  daughter  of  ^linos,  king  of  Crete,  and 
fell  in  love  with  Theseus  when  he  went  as  one  of  the  seven 
youths  uhoni  the  Athenians  were  obliged  to  send  every  year, 
Avith  seven  maidens,  to  Crete  to  be  devoured  by  the  Minotaur. 
Ariadne  ])rovided  Theseus  with  a  sword,  with  Avhich  he  slew 
tlic  Minotaur,  and  witli  a  thread,  which  enal)led  liiiu  to  find 
his  Avay  out  of  the  lab\rint]i:  and  tlicv  fled  to  the  island  ot 
Naxos  (Dia),  where  Theseus,  warnc(l  }\\  a  god  in  a  dream, 
deserted  her.  IIapi)ilv,  liacchus  arrived  opportunely  from 
India:  finding  Ai-iadne  in  a  state  of  grief  and  consternation, 
Avhich  even  added  to  her  charming  beauty,  he  quenched  lier 
tears,   consoled   her,   and   made  her  his  wife. 


=it^,     fe^a-^-^<fcfi^  t 


o 


id 
Z 


HILDA^S    TOWEE. 


On  a  December  afternoon  in  TJome,  some  years  ago,  the 
old  church  on  a  little  piazza  at  tlie  end  of  the  Via  Portoghesi, 
where  stone  angels  are  ever  blowing  their  long  trumpets,  was 
the  subject  of  a  water-color  drawing  I  had  been  painting;  the 
lamp  still  burned  in  the  glass-sheltered  turret  of  "Hildas 
Tower."  Already  through  the  gray  of  declining  day  its  rays 
of  light  penetrated  an  apartment  whose  entire  front  is  open 
on  the  ground  floor  of  a  jioor  shop,  where,  in  portions  of  old 
Morgiana  jars,  were  exposed  for  sale  cast-otf  fragments  ot 
ornamental  objects  in  bronze,  glass,  iron,  and  other  metals  in 
every  conceivable  variety  and  form.  T  had  passed  this  bro- 
cantem-'s  mine  for  years  without  e^■eu  thinking  of  looking  in ; 
but  now  I  seemed  impelled  to  enter,  and,  searching  among 
the  debris,  was  unexpectedly  rewardcil,  for  deep  in  one  of 
the  cauldrons,  that  would    have   boiled  had  tilth  and  rust  been 


379 


:!S0 


INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 


lire,  I  found  a  mass  so  encrusted  ^\  itli  ilirt  and  the  tartar  of 
ages  that  it  was  difficult  to  decide  for  a  moment  wliether  it 
was  some  object  carved  in  hone  or  really  a  stone  such  as  I 
was  seekins':  hut,  seeing  that  it  was  eno-raved  in  relief,  and 
finding  the  price  moderate,  I  carrieil  it  awav,  an<l  thus  became 
possessed  of  a  treasure,  I'or  after  having  it  scoured  it  ])roved 
to  lie  an  exquisitely  Ijeautiful  cameo  of  Jujiiter  Serapis.  It 
has  since  been  admired  by  many  connoisseurs :  you  have 
only  to  turn  to  No.  205,  Case  P,  in  my  collection,  and  also 
enjov  its  beauty. 

I  mav  add  that  the  late  M.  L.  llirsch,  the  well-known  Paris 
expert  in  all  engraved  A\-ork,  was  es2iecially  impressed  with  the 
beautv  of  tliis  cameo. 

This  is  another  instance  and  proof  of  the  fact  that  many 
interesting  and  beautiful  specimens  of  anticjue  geni-engraving 
liave  been  misplaced,  lost,  or  overlooked,  and  we  mav  still 
hope  to  add  to  our  possessions,  not  onlv  from  such  uncomelv 
sources  as  the  old  ^Torgiana  jar,  but  also  fi-om  the  ruins  of 
many  forgotten  cities  which  shall  yet  yield  us  their  valualile 
quotas. 

The  nmscunis  of  America  may  well  make  readv  places  to 
receive  and  store  the  treasures  that  assuredly  will  come  from 
the  dust  of  liviione  centuries. 


ABRAXAS   IN    CONTRAST   AVITH    CHRIS- 
TIANITY. 


How  touchingly  simple  were  the  representations  of  Christ 
as  they  were  given  to  the  early  believers  during  the  first  tln-ee 
centuries  alter  his  manitestation  and  sojourn  on  earth!  Men's 
hearts  were  turned  to  liini  through  gena-pictures  of  the  manger- 
cradled  child  Redeemer  and  of  the  sovereign  Mediator  on  the 
cross — revered  as  the  Son  of  God  in  his  condescension,  as  the 
Son  of  man  in  his  suft'erings.  Yet  in  tliose  very  times  the 
large  sect  of  the  Ahraxas,  to  whom  he  also  was  revealed, 
carried  to  their  hearts  in  blind  belief  talismans  bearing  the 
image  of  their  god, /.(^f7 — a  pantheus  with  human  trunk,  eagle's 
head,  and  members  symbolic  of  the  foiu-  elements ;  the  serpent 
also  and  the  threatening  scourge,  as  in  the  anmlet  No.  573, 
Case  H  H.  In  one  is  illustrated  the  simplicity  of  truth  and 
divinity,  in  contrast  with  the  absurd  complexity  of  error  and 
superstition. 


3S1 


CAMPAGKA    AIsD    OIL-DEALER. 


We  liless  tlie  various  cliine.s  that  send  lis  luscious  fruits 
\\h\i  aroiiiatir  iiiuns  and  u'euerous  wiues ;  so  tui'U  we  now  to 
tillers  of  the  izround,  who  reap  in  many  a  hi-ld  tlie  ancient 
liarvests  sown  li\"  artisans  who  decked  themselves  and  all 
mankind  with  unneii  stones.  And  tliese  for  years  I  found 
awaiting-  me  witli  onu  who  dealt  in  country  j)i'oduce  and 
olive  oils  in   an    Italian   cit\'  1)V  the   sea. 

Lln'ouj^'li  ^■ears  of  trading'  with  the  ri/ldJil'  lie  liad  amassed 
these  treasures  in  stone  and  antique  paste.  For  potent  gold 
he  passed  to  my  jjossession  the  fair  gems  Avhich  these  good 
people  were  ever  tinding  as  thev  ploughed  the  ground,  little 
dreaming  they  were  luiearthing  this  harvest  for  the  Western 
World. 

]\Iy  old  friend,  after  our  acquaintance  had  ripened  witli 
years,  became  very  liberal  with  me :  if  these  j^easants  came 
in  when  I  was  tliere  he  would  kindly  say,  "  Signor,   look  to 

'  Peasants. 
382 


to 

>< 

o 
•z 


G 

•z 

o 


O 

<: 

w 

o 


z 
> 

7i 


o 
o 

w 
5 


\\»"' : 

■  ii.i"»; . '',:,, 'ii^ii: .,■■■''■ 

< 

3 


z 
o 


z 


as 
H 
Z 


CA3IPAGXA    AXn    OIL-DEALER.  387 

them;  see  if  auything  is  there  for  you;"  and,  having  once 
learned  this  medium  of  acquisition — never  satisfied,  "  always 
to  be  blest" — I  sought  these  villani  on  their  way  to  market, 
within  the  city-gates  near  the  Roman  Forum  and  the  Temple 
of  Vesta,  at  the  Campo  du'  Fiori,  and  by  tlie  tish-market, 
where  often  on  a  Wednesday,  and  always  on  Sunday,  they 
congregated;  then  beyond  the  Avails  at  the  hostelries  just 
outside  of  Eome.  They  always  had  something  antique  stored 
away  in  pocket  or  in  sack ;  it  was  no  offence  to  stop  them 
and  ask  what  antiquities  had  last  been  found.  Not  yet  con- 
tent, I  then  strayed  into  the  Campagna  and  sought  them  in 
their  homes :  the  occupants  of  these  poor  tenements  have  con- 
tributed gems  of  historical  value  tliat  now  stand  peerless  in 
many  a  museum.  I  walked  the  country  over,  ever  increas- 
ing my  circuit,  extending  my  investigations,  finding  the  peo- 
ple always  ready  to  respond  and  show  me  Avhat  they  had 
gathered. 

One  familv  related  how  they  had  found  certain  objects 
below  the  surface  of  a  field  which  they  were  ridding  of  its 
deeply-grounded  roots  and  aged  trunks  of  olive  trees,  whose 
mvriad  circling  lines  of  demarcation  declared  the  cycles  they 
had  o-rown  and  clung  to  earth.  In  extracting  the  nethermost 
roots  of  one  tree  that  had  stood  there  seven  hundred  years 
(De  Candolle  records  one  exceeding  twenty-three  feet  in  girth, 
the  age  being  supposed  to  amount  to  seven  centuries),  they 
came  upon  some  slabs  or  terra-cotta  tiles  laid  carefully  to- 
gether, forming  a  subterranean  trough  or  chest;  the  upper 
tiles  were  carefully  removed,  exposing  within  the  vault,  among 
bones  and  ashes,  several  vessels  in  earthenware  on  which  were 
drawn,  in  black,  rude  mythological  figures ;  a  vase  and  mirror 
in  bronze;   bowls  in  glass  now  iridescent;    and  several  rings 


388  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

of  bronze  and  iron  with  gems  of  jjaste  and  sard  imbedded 
in   their  rust  and  patina.' 

I  held  in  n\\  liand  one  In'oken  brick,  whicli  at  its  fracture 
disclosed  an  imprisoned  piece  of  bronze:  by  breaking  with 
care  the  liard  tei'ra-cotta  I  removed  therefrom  a  common  ring 
Avith  graven  intaglio.  It  Avas  probabl}'  lost  from  the  hand  of 
the  ancient  moulder  as  he  formed  the  mass,  and  thus  unob- 
served it  Avent  into  the  kiln  to  be  locked  aAvay  by  tire  until 
the  daA'  I  brought  it  again  to  lioht.  Thus  I  turned  each 
faiTOAV,  hunted  in  every  crevice,  looked  beneath  each  clod, 
finding  more  pleasure  than  had  it  been  a  search  for  gold. 
And  once  it  Avas  niA'  good  fortune  to  i)ass  a  field,  I  had  often 
crossed  before,  north  of  the  Appian  Way,  Avhen  an  excavation 
Avas  just  commenced :  I  lingered  there  that  day,  and  on  the 
morroAv  folloAved  the  Avork  until  the  laborers  exposed  to  vieAv 
a  chiselled  marble  tomb,  Avith  protecting  canopy  intact,  sup- 
ported by  six  small  marble  columns  fluted  and  twisted  in 
their  form. 

The  subjects  of  some  of  tlie  fruits  of  these  expeditions 
give  the  foUoAving  incidents  and  legends : 

No.  858,  Case  B  B  B,  an  intaglio  in  sard,  Oedipus  and  the 
Sphinx,  ffidipus  Avas  the  son  of  Laius  of  Thebes.  An  oracle 
had  informed  Laius  that  should  he  liaA'e  a  son,  his  fate  Avoidd 
be  to  perish  In'  the  hands  of  that  son.  Tlierefore,  Avhen 
G^dipus  was  born  his  father  pierced  and  tied  his  feet  together, 
and  left  him  exjjosed  on  Mount  Cithasron ;  the  shepherd  Avho 
found  and  released  him  named  him  ffidipus,  on  account  of 
his  sAvollen  feet.  When  ffidipus  attained  young  manhood, 
his    attention   Avas  draAvn   to    the    Sphinx   Avhich    came  to  his 

'  See  the  remarks  of  M.  Edmond  Le  Blaut  before  the  Academy  of  Inscriptions,  Paris, 
on  m_v  pursuit  of  these  excavations. 


> 

O 
S 


CAMPAGXA    AXD    OIL-DEALER.  391 

country.  TIk'  Sphinx,  which  had  a  woman's  head  and  the 
boclv  of  a' lioness,  sat  daily  on  a  rock  and  gave  riddles  to 
the  passers-by,  and  when  they  failed  to  guess  cori'ectly  she 
fell  upon  them  and  slew  them.  The  Thebans  liad  ijroclaimed 
that  w'hoever  should  deliver  the  country  of  this  scourge  should 
be  made  king.  When  <Edipus  approaclied  the  Sphinx  she 
gave  this  riddle:  "A  being  which  at  times  has  four  feet,  two 
feet,  and  three  feet,  and  only  one  voice :  when  it  has  mo.st 
feet  it  is  weakest."  Qi^dipus  solved  tlie  riddle,  saying,  "It 
was  man  :  in  infancy  upon  all  fours,  in  manhood  erect  upon 
two  feet,  and  in  old  age  supports  his  tottering  two  with  a 
staff  for  the  tliird."  The  Sphinx,  enraged  at  the  solution  of 
the  riddle,  cast  herself  from  the  rock  upon  Qlldipus,  but  he 
slew  the  Sphinx  and  dbtaineil  the  kingdom  of  Thebes. 

No.  864,  Case  B  B  B,  an  intaglio  in  onyx,  represents  Ar- 
temisia, wife  of  Mausolus,  king  of  ('aria,  Asia  Minor,  with 
the  cinders  of  her  husband  in  a  vase  of  gold.  Artemisia's 
love  for  her  husband  was  fervent,  and  her  grief  at  his  death 
was  intense ;  she  caused  a  tomb  to  be  erected  for  his  ashes 
in  the  city  of  Halicarnassus,  and  called  it  Mausoleo,  and  from 
this  fact  is  derived  our  word  mausoleum. 

No.  11(36,  Case  U  U  U,  an  antique  paste  intaglio,  Polynices, 
son  of  (Edi})us  and  Jocasta.  After  his  father's  banishment  from 
Thebes,  he  assumed  the  government  with  his  In-other  l^teocles: 
they  could  not  live  hapi)ily  sharing  the  power,  and,  ratlier 
than  so  continue,  they  agreed  on  one  jjoint,  and  that  was  to 
meet  in  mortal  combat,  the  victor  to  i-eign  alone  :  alas  !  they 
both  fell  fatally  wounded. 

Xo.  11 90,  Case  V  \' V,  an  antique  paste  intaglio,  represent- 
ing Othryades,  a  Si)artan,  who  was  sent  with  two  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  others  to  I'ondjat  \\  itli  a  like  number  ot  the  Argives. 


392  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

The  strng-gle  was  for  the  possession  of  the  throne  and  country 
of  Thvrea  ;  his  companions  all  perished.  Othryades  was  also 
left  for  dead  upon  the  gi'ound ;  l)y  lying  close  to  earth  until 
the  enemy  had  left  the  held  he  alone  escaped  of  all  his  host. 

No.  1229,  Case  XXX,  an  antique  paste  intaglio,  Ulysses 
and  Menelaus.  Their  mission  to  Troy  was  to  influence  the 
Trojans  to  release  Helen  and  restore  her  treasures. 

No.  1236,  Case  XXX,  an  antique  paste  intaglio,  represent- 
ing Orestes  and  his  sister  Electra,  Electra  had  saved  his  life 
when  his  father  Ag-amenuion  was  massacred  bv  ^Egisthus  and 
Clytsemnestra. 

No.  1239,  Case  Y  Y  Y,  an  antique  paste  intaglio,  represent- 
ing Victory :  the  wings  of  Victory  are  clipped ;  the  sentiment 
was,  "Having  Victory,  let  us  thus  keep  her  ever  with  us." 


ROME. 

Whex  the  she-wolf  ceased  to  iKnirish  and  sheUer  Romuhis 
and  Remus,  she  was  not  asked  to  the  great  ceremony  which 
followed  quickly  on  that  traditional  guardianship.  Nor  has 
history  given  us  tlie  names  of  the  aborigines  who  christened 
the  embryo  mistress  of  the  world,   Rome. 

Rome,  within  thy  classic  walls,  amidst  thv  ruins,  in  thy 
rich  remains,  and  with  thv  people,  have  I  learned  of  gem- 
engraving  many  winters,  and  bright  spots  in  my  glyptic  cab- 
inet ai'e  set  ^^  ith  ]>recious  gems  whose  subjects  yield  incidents 
unparalleled  in  interest.  From  antiquaries,  priests,  scholars, 
merchants,  and  peasantry  I  have  gathered  my  fund  of  ro- 
mance. The  following  are  a  few  of  the  paragraphs  describing 
some  of  my  harvest  gleaned  in  that  city : 

No.  848,  Case  A  A  A,  an  intaglio  on  onyx,  ^neas  escap- 
ing from  burning  Troy,  carrying  his  lather  Anchises  on  his 
shoulders,  followed  by  the  youth  Ascanius  his  son. 

Xo.  870,  Case  C  C  C,  an  intaglio  on  sardonyx.  This  archaic 
intaglio,  with  Xo.  933,  Case  G  Gr  Gr,  is  one  of  the  most  curious 
and  interesting  not  only  of  my  collection,  but  of  all  intaglios 
ever  found.  It  gives  us  the  tradition  of  the  namino-  of  the 
days  of  the  week  and  portrays  the  gods  of  the  seven  days, 
to  be  understood  as  follows — more  easil}'  explained  in  French 
for  evident  reasons.     Observing  the  impression. 

The  first  day  at  the  left  is  Tp,  Saturnus,  Samedi — Saturday. 

The  second  and  next  figure  is  3,  Helios  or  Solis,  Dimanche 
— Sunday. 

393 


394  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

The  third  and  next  Hgure  is   L,  Lnna,   Liindi — Monday. 

The  fourtli  and  next  tigure  is  M,  ^lars,  Mardi — Tuesday. 

The  tifth  and  next  tig'ure  is  M,  Meirurius,  Mercredi — Wed- 
nesday. 

The  sixth  and  next  figure  is  I,  Jove  or  Jupiter,  Jeitdi — 
Thursday. 

The  seventli  and  next  figure  is  V,  Venus,  Vcndrcdi — Friday. 

AVhere  this  tradition  has  been  found  in  bronze  or  iron  or 
gold  it  is  often  accompanied  by  an  eighth  figure,  Tvxr;,  Tuke  (or 
Bonus  Eventus),  the  day  of  good  fortune.  (See  also  No.  933, 
Case  GGG.) 

I  desire  here  to  record  kind  attentions  always  received  from 
Baron  de  Witfe  and  ]\[onsieur  Victor  Duruy,  Minister  of  Pub- 
lic Instruction  under  the  Empire,  both  members  of  ITnstitut 
de  France,  and  the  great  surprise  and  pleasure  e\"inced  l)v 
them  on  viewing  this  stone  in  my  possession.  Thev  have 
both  published  brochures  on  the  subject,  and  declare  these 
two  gems  to  be  miique.  I  have  ceded  to  M.  Duruy  impres- 
sions frojn  them,  and  he  has  described  them  in  his  History  of 
Boman  Antiquities.     (See  his  letter  page  449.) 

Xo.  iS94,  Case  I)  1)  I),  an  intaglio  on  amethyst,  the  Centaur 
Nessus  carrying  ofi"  Deianira,  ^vife  of  Ilercides,  across  the  river 
Evenus :  he  was  shot  with  an  arrow  poisoned  with  the  Ijile  of 
the  Lernean  Hydra.  The  Cupids  are  accessories,  being  sym- 
bolical of  the  Centaur's  love. 

Xo.  900,  Case  E  E  E,  an  intaglio  ring  on  sard,  Hieronymus, 
after  his  first  conqnest  of  Thebes,  arriving  with  an  animal  for 
saci'ifice  in  honor  of  his  success,  as  evinced  l)v  the  trophies 
which  are  dis])layed.  The  altar  is  seen  on  the  left,  decorated 
with  a  garland. 

Xo.  912,  Case  E  E  E,  an  intaglio   ring  on  sard,  Hercules 


ROME.  395 

fio-htino-  the  Leraean  Hvdra,  the  second  of  the  twelve  labors 
of  Hercules.  This  monster  ravaged  the  country  of  Lemse 
near  Argos,  and  dwelt  in  a  swamp  near  the  well  of  Amymone : 
it  \\  as  formidable  on  account  of  its  nine  heads,  the  middle  one 
of  wliich  was  innnortal.  Hercules  cut  off  its  heads  with  a  club 
or  a  sickle,  but  in  the  place  of  each  head  he  cut  off  two  new 
ones  grew  tbrth  each  time,  and  a  gigantic  crab  came  to  the 
assistance  of  the  Hydra  and  wounded  Hercules ;  however, 
with  the  assistance  of  his  faithful  servant  lolaus,  he  bmmed 
awav  the  heads  of  the  Hydra,  and  buried  the  ninth  or  im- 
mortal one  under  a  huge  rock.  Having  thus  conquered  the 
monster,  he  poisoned  his  arrows  with  its  bile,  whence  the 
wounds  inflicted  l)y  them  became  incurable. 

Xo.  947,  Case  H  H  H,  an  intaglio  on  sard  set  in  a  ring, 
Diomedes  stepping  over  the  I'amparts  of  Troy  in  the  act  of 
carrving  off  the  effigy  of  ilinerva.  (See  also  No.  922,  Case 
F  F  F.) 

When  Diomedes  arrived  in  the  arx  of  Troy  by  a  subter- 
raneous passage,  he,  with  Odysseus,  slew  the  guards  and  car- 
ried away  the  Palladium  (the  effigy  of  Minerva),  as  it  was 
believed  that  Dium  (Troy)  could  not  be  taken  so  long  as  the 
Palladium  was  within  its  Avails. 

When  during  the  night  the  two  heroes  were  returning  to 
camp  with  their  ])recious  booty,  Diomedes  saw  l)y  his  shadow 
that  Odvsseus,  who  was  walking-  behind  him,  was  drawing  his 
sword  to  kill  liini  and  thus  secure  to  himself  alone  the  honor  of 
having  taken  the  Palladium.  Diomedes  turned  round,  seized  the 
sword  of  Odysseus,  tied  his  hands,  and  thus  drove  him  along 
before  him  into  camp.  This  intaglio  is  also  carefully  engraved, 
giving  the  difficult  full-front  face  very  finely. 

No.  915,  Case  F  F  F,  an  intaglio  ring  on  onyx,  the  seal  of 


396  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

a  liberated  slave,  is.  c.  200.  Philogenis  was  the  slave  of  Lucius 
Ennius ;  A\lien  enfranchised  by  his  master  he  was  not  only 
permitted  to  ])ossess  a  seal,  but  fi-mn  the  inscription  thereon, 
PILOD.  ENNI.  Tv.  L.,  we  learn  tliat  he  also  combined  part  of 
his  master's  name  witli  his  own,  and  this,  his  seal,  reads, 
"Ennius  Philogenis  liberateil  l)y  his  master,  Lucius  Ennius." 
It  was  written  Pilogene  in  the  archaic  form. 

As  this  seal  has  been  studied  bv  three  of  the  most  learned 
glyptic  authorities  of  France,  Germany,  and  Italy,  I  have 
thoiight  it  interesting  to  produce  fac-similes  of  their  autograph 
interpretations : 

PlJLOD  '  E^Aff  'L^l: 


^ 


^^^  U°Co 


/  . 


4^ 


U^  S*C^e^^^  , 


PILCDENNI  L  L 


ROME.  3!17 

EMM  I  LLPILOD- 

Monsieur  Adrien  Longperier,  of  the  Academie  des  Inscrip- 
tions de  rinstitut  de  France  at  Paris,  is  deceased. 

Herr  Doctor  H.  Dresser  was  of  the  Archpeological  Insti- 
tute of  Germany  at  Rome — is  now  recalled  to  the  Miiseum 
at  Berlin. 

II  Commendatori  Giovanni  Battista  de  Rossi  is  well  known 
by  his  archaeological  researches  in  the  antiquities  of  the  Chris- 
tians at  Rome. 

No.  203,  Case  M,  a  cameo  on  paragon.  This  interesting 
cameo,  ha^■ing  ten  tigures,  counting  the  birds,  etc.,  has  baffled 
many  connoisseurs  in  their  efforts  to  interpret  its  legend.  The 
subject  is  mythological,  and  the  following  explanation  (my 
own)  is  offered : 

The  conception  of  this  curious  composition  represents  a 
group  of  m}thological  characters  associated  with  the  amours 
and  pleasures  to  which  Jupiter  abandoned  himself  after  the  pro- 
longed labor  of  having  combated  and  conquered  the  Giants. 

Jupiter  and  Juno  hold  festival ;  Jupiter,  king  of  Heaven,  , 
sits  complacently  in  Paradise  enthroned  by  clouds ;  beside  him 
the  peacock,  Juno's  vain  companion  and  symbol,  spreads  wide 
a  canopy  with  his  luxurious  plumage.  "  This  is  a  day,"  says 
the  peacock,  "to  see  and  to  be  seen."  On  the  left  floats  in  air 
Ganymedes  borne  by  his  winged  friend. 


398 


INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 


Ul)iqiiitoiis  Jove,  witli  his  >*e'f(iiid  eagle  self  already  on  earth, 
chases  tlie  fair  Antiope,  wlio  l)y  her  giant  strides  evinces  that 
she  would  fain  elude  his  grasp ;  Danae,  on  the  left,  also  hastens 
her  pace,  having-  opportunely  espied  the  fruit  and  flowers  be- 
yond, being  enriclied  by  tlie  golden  rain,  l)v  whicli  transfor- 
mation Jupiter  liad  already  ensnared  her.  On  the  right  virgin 
Diana,  di'eading  the  sight  of  men,  fresh  from  the  Aventine,  ac- 
coutred for  the  chase,  advances  in  a  grove  of  trees,  followed 
by  Fauna  Fatua,  her  second  self;  they  approach  Iris,  \\ho, 
looking  to  the  skies,  wafts  to  the  symbol  of  her  mistress,  the 
queenly  Juno,  salutations  announcing  the  strife  she  has  en- 
kindled here  on  earth.  The  laro-e  eag'le  l)elow  is  to  indicate 
tlie  presence  of  Jupiter. 


LUCIUS. 


On  returnino-  from  the  expedition  in  I\Iorocco,  I  determined 
to  seek  some  interpretation  of  the  subject  of  my  principal 
acquisition,  the  intagho  ring  No.  923,  Case  F  F  F,  and  as  an 
instance  of  the  interesting  resources  afforded  by  tlie  study  ot 
gems  will  give  its  subject  description  here.  Connoisseurs  had 
frequently,  on  examining  tliis  stone,  suggested  that  it  was  King 
Midas.     I  never  was  satisfied  with  this  as  its  subject,  on  ac- 

399 


400  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

count  of  the  hoofs  on  the  ass,  whereas  Midas  had  liiiman  feet 
and  hands.  I  tlierefore  sought  my  gem  in  antique  books, 
when,  finally  meeting  with  Apuleius's  romance,  in  Latin  with 
French  notes,  of  the  metamorphosis  of  Lucius,  was  assm-ed 
that  my  gem  was  Lucius  the  Golden  Ass  and  the  t\\o  broth- 
ers, servants  of  Thyasus  of  Corinth.  A  scene  in  the  his- 
tory of  Lucius  is  represented  on  this  intaglio.  The  following, 
in  my  own  language,  is  a  concise  narrative  of  the  incidents 
pertaining  to  this  subject,  from  recollections  of  its  perusal  in 
extenso  some  years  ago  in  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  at  Paris, 
including  only  his  adventures  during  the  time  he  was  meta- 
morphosed into  the  ass : 

Lucius  was  born  at  Hymet  on  the  isthmus  of  Corinth, 
and  early  sought  a  finished  education  in  travel :  he  mentioned 
once  walking  for  companionship  with  a  man  who  had  just  left 
Socrates  in  a  miserable  plight,  and  described  the  philosopher  as 
pale,  thin,  but  defiant,  clothed  only  in  a  poor  mantle  all  tattered, 
having  been  robbed.  Socrates  had  also  left  home  and  friends, 
and  was  mourned  by  his  fjimily  as  dead.  We  will  pass  unno- 
ticed Lucius's  many  adventures  and  metamorphoses,  until  we  find 
him  a  guest  in  the  chateau  of  Milon  at  Nipote,  in  the  company 
of  Fotis,  of  \Ahom  he  was  then  enamoured.  (Jne  night  Fotis, 
fastening  the  door,  said,  "  Dear  Lucius,  I  live  in  a  house  of 
nameless  secrets,  and  I  shall  toll  thee  about  my  mistress  Pam- 
phile,  but  I  conjure  thee  to  guard  in  eternal  silence  the  secrets 
I  am  aboiit  to  reveal.  My  mistress  Pamphile  loves  j^assion- 
ately  young  Beotien,  and  that  she  ma}'  fiy  to  him  she  has 
prepared  oils  and  powders  and  pomades ;  at  dusk  this  even- 
ing, by  the  application  of  these  unguents,  she  will  be  trans- 
formed into  a  bii'd  and  will  fly." 

At  evening  Fotis  led  Lucius,  according  to  promise,  to  an 


LUCIUS.  401 

apartment  adjoin  inn-  tluit  of  Pamphile,  and  afttT  tlie  laving 
on  of  tlic  marvellous  pomades,  at  first  Pampliile'.s  tender  body 
was  coated  with  down:  she  was  evideiitlv  chauH'inir :  soon 
feathers  richl\-  <k'ekt'd  the  now  tiedg-ed  bii'd,  whose  arms  he- 
came  wings,  and  after  a  few  moments'  trial  of  licr  force  Pam- 
phile rose  in  air,  tlew  from  her  chamber,  and  sped  her  wav 
to  her  loved  young  Beotien. 

Lucius  in  grand  astonishment  could  not  for  a  moment 
realize  what  he  had  seen,  yet  as  suddenly  he  was  seized  with 
a  desire  also  to  be  so  transformed,  that  he  might  extend  his 
travels  into  the  realms  of  space.  Lucius  seized  the  hands  of 
Fotis,  saying,  "  I  supplicate  thee;  accord  me  for  an  instant  a 
striking  and  precious  proof  of  tin-  love:  give  me  of  that 
pomade,  that  I  may  become  one  of  thy  most  faithful  slaves, 
and.  Cupid-winged,  I  may  fly  beside  my  Venus." 

Lucius  loved  Fotis :  he  desired  to  be  metamorphosed  into 
a  bird  as  powerful  as  the  eagle,  that  he  might  become  the 
fidelle  messenger  of  Jupiter  and  fly  throughout  the  grand 
expanse  of  the  heavens,  and  thus  l>e  free  to  seek  his  Fotis: 
he  would  then  Ijind  himself  in  the  long  tresses  of  his  Fotis, 
those  bands  of  silken  hair  which  ^^■ould  enchain  his  existence. 
Upon  reflection  he  said,  "  Tell  me,  what  would  I  have  to  do 
to  become  again  myself,  again  Lucius  ?" 

"Be  tranquil,"  rejilied  Fotis;  "my  mistress  has  sho-\Mi  me 
all  her  receipts  for  metamorphoses  and  for  return  to  human 
form.'"  Saying  these  woi-ds.  she  penetrated  into  the  interior 
apartments,  and,  taking  from  a  cofter  a  box,  she  handed  it  to 
Lucius :  he  covered  it  with  kisses  and  raised  his  sincere  prayers 
to  Heaven  that  he  might  find  this  tndy  happv  favor  to  be 
able  to  soar  in  the  air.  He  quickly  disemban-assed  himself 
of  his   clothing   and  eagerly  plunged  his  haml  into  the  box, 


402  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

took  ;is  iiincli  of  tlie  pomade  as  lie  could,  ;nid  fell  to  rubbing 
all  liis  l)()d\-  and  swiiiuini;-  alternately  his  arms,  seeking  to  imi- 
tate the  motions  of  a  bird.  No  down  appeared,  neither  did 
feathers  form,  bnt  the  hair  on  his  l)od\-  stiffened  and  his  skin 
became  as  leather,  horribly  hard;  at  the  place  of  feet  and 
hands  hoofs  were  Ibrnied;  there  came  behind  a  long  tail ;  his 
visage  changed:  his  mouth  and  nostrils  enlarged,  his  lips  hang- 
ing, his  ears  crossed  an<l  stood  out  in  a  manner  extraordinarv, 
and  he  had  no  arms  with  which  to  hold  Fotis.  He  was  soon 
■without  hope:  he  had  not  become  a  bird;  he  was  changed 
into  an  ass.  As  for  Fotis,  he  could  onl\-  regard  her  with  side- 
gl'auces  from  eves  moist  witli  tears,  and  with  his  lower  lip 
address  a  mute  prayer  silently  asking  her  aid.  When  Fotis 
saw  him  in  this  condition  lier  face  was  struck  with  a  look 
of  despair.  "  I'nfortunate !"  cried  she:  "lam  lost!  In  my 
trouble  and  in  my  hurry  I  did  not  take  care  to  observe  the 
boxes,  and  their  similarity  deceived  riie.  But,  dear  Lucius, 
happily  the  remedy  for  this  transformation  is  so  simple:  when 
onl\-  thoii  hast  cheweil  some  I'oses  thou  wilt  (piit  this  figure 
of  an  ass,  and  uw  <lear  Lm-ius  will  be  restored  anew  to  me. 
Oh,  wliv  did  1  not  last  evening,  as  is  my  habit,  prepare  some 
garlands?  Thou  wouldst  then  not  have  had  to  pass  even  this 
night  in  this  uncomely  form.  lint  \\itli  the  break  of  day 
to-morrow  I  will  hasten  and  return  to  save  tliee."  Luciiis, 
thougli  changed  into  a  handsome  and  g'ood  ass,  still  retained 
hmnan  reason :  after  serioiis  reflection  he  thought  he  might 
be  revenged  bv  using  his  hoofs,  but  after  second  thought  he 
])rndentl\'  aliandoneil  this  determination,  and,  obeying  the  triste 
necessity  of  this  adventure,  he  went  to  the  stable  and  took  his 
]dace  beside  his  own  honest  lajrse  and  another  ass.  Lucius 
expected  to  be  well  and  kindly  received,  but  his   horse   and 


LUCIUS.  403 

the  other  ass,  after  looking;-  at  him  with  jeah»us  regavd,  coii- 
ferre*!  witli  (Uic  another  and  tell  n|Hin  liini,  kicking  him  turi- 
ouslv  and  driving  him  a\\a\'  from  the  barley  wldch  he  had 
placed  there  with  his  own  hands  tiie  evenmg  before  for  these 
monsters  of  ingratitude.  Lucius  tlien  discovered  in  a  uiche 
on  tlie  pillar  which  supported  the  roof  of  the  stable  a  figure 
of  a  Deess  plentifully  decorated  with  garlands  of  fresh  roses. 
He  approached  them,  reinenibering  their  virtue,  but  the  at- 
tendant beat  him  off  with  a  stick:  an  instant  after,  brigands 
having  rolilied  the  house  of  all  its  valuables,  came  and  led 
out  Lucius  and  the  other  animals  and  loaded  the  boot}-  on 
their  backs,  and  h\  force  oi  blows  caused  them  to  take  the 
grand  route  mitil  thev  entered  a  solitary  gorge.  So  he 
marched  the  uiglit,  thinking  how  he  might  be  relieved  from 
so  much  misery. 

Not  to  leave  our  Lucius  for  ever  in  your  recollections  so 
hea^•il^'  burdened,  we  will  follow^  him  through  his  trials  and 
adventures. 

His  own  ass  soon  feigned  fatigue,  and,  staggering  near  a 
ditch,  fell  down  apparently  exhausted  and  dying-.  The  bri- 
gands attacked  him  with  blows  with  their  batons;  this  onl}- 
caused  him  to  raise  his  ears;  so  they  left  him  to  die  and 
transferred  his  biu'den  to  the  backs  of  Lucius  and  the  horse. 
Twenty-four  hours  later  thev  arrived  at  the  hidden  grotto  of 
the  robbers ;  bv  evening  two  other  parties  of  the  same  honor- 
able confederation  arrived:  a  repast,  music,  and  narrative  made 
merry  the  hours  of  repose.  A  fair  maiden,  Carite,  Avhom  they 
had  abducted  on  the  eve  of  her  marriage  with  Leonardo,  was 
ffiven  to  the  custodv  of  a  faithful  old  woman,  who  })\  liei- 
maternal  presence  and  care,  gave  to  this  robbers'  den  an  at- 
mosphere of   home.      (Can   there  be   a  happ)'   menwji:  without 


404  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

a  \v()iiKiii  ?)  To  ciiliii  tlic  siirt'criiiiis  of  tlic  niaidcii  and  to 
assiiaoc  licr  L;ri<'t  tlic  <il(l  woman  tried  to  interest  lier  liv  the 
reeital  of  a  tluillini:-  rouiauce  ut'  a  kinj^-  and  queen  of  a  certain 
great  city  wlio  liad  three  dangliters,  all  very  beautiful:  though 
the  elder  two  possessed  indisputable  charms,  the  beauty  of  the 
younger  one  was  so  marvellous  that  human  elo(pience  failed 
to  find  terms  ade([uately  to  express  the  admiration  which  was 
felt  l)y  all  who  saw  her.  The  interest  of  her  story  lay  in  the 
fact  that  the  younger  daughter  was  first  married,  and  that 
mysteriously,  her  noble  lord  ])lacing  her  in  a  magnificent 
palace  within  beautiful  gardens,  loading  her  with  every 
luxury,  but  wishing  her  not  to  know  his  face  nor  to  see 
her    sisters. 

niie  sisters  did  eventually  Hud  her  out,  and  h\  degrees 
drew  her  into  society,  the  wicked  world,  and  sin,  until  her 
palace  halls  and  flowered  groves  and  gardens,  with  her  hus- 
band's tender  love,  all  were  lost. 

This  is  a  fable,  and,  l)elieving  it  may  prove  interesting,  I 
have  made  the  following  very  condensed  translation  of  the 
moral :  The  certain  city  was  the  ^^  hole  world  :  the  king  repi'e- 
sents  God ;  the  queen,  Matter ;  the  daughters,  Flesh,  Liberty, 
and  the  Soul. 

The  youngest  and  most  beautiful  was  named  Ps^'che,  which 
with  Greeks  signified  the  soul.  She  Avas  more  beautiful  than 
the  other  sisters,  because  the  Soul  is  superior  to  Liberty,  and 
more  noble  than  the  Flesh.  Psyche  turned  the  hearts  of  men 
from  near  and  far:  the  altars  of  Venus  were  neglected,  her 
statues  were  no  longer  decorated  with  flowers. 

Venus  could  not  brook  this  state  of  affairs;  she  was  envi- 
ous of  Psyche,  and  planned  revenge.  The  younger  sister's 
mysterious  bridegroom,  was  Cupido,  sent  by  Venus  to  break 


LUCIUS.  405 

the  cliarin  of  Psvfhe  bv  eiirliainiiiL;'  licr  witli  love.  ( 'iijiiilo 
did  not  make  known  his  identity  to  liis  liride,  lint  tan<ilit  her 
to  estrange  herself  from  her  sisters,  wliose  (U^sires  to  visit 
her  were  onlv  proin[)ted  Ijy  envy:  Imt  Psyc-he  disregarded 
Ciipido's  connsel,  and,  vain  of  the  s|)h-n(h)rs  of  licr  jialatial 
possessions,  she  received  them,  and  soon,  animated  Ijy  their 
dano-erous  counsels,  she  wandered  from  virtue's  refuge;  the 
lamp  of  puritv,  no  long-er  trinnued,  burned  with  flickering 
flame  that  kindled  a  dangerous  Are  within  her  being,  which 
stealthily  eonsumeil  her  innocence  and  peace.  Yet  when  the 
flames,  ever  augmenting,  threatened  all  to  wreck,  still,  im- 
pelled b\-  her  envious  sisters,  she  sought  with  increasing- 
ardor  those  pleasures  whicli  eventually  left  only  embers 
where  all  had  lieen  jjnrity  and  Virightness  and  lovely  woman- 
hood. Nothing  was  spared  to  Psyche:  lier  riches,  her  gar- 
dens and  hunting-grounds,  her  palace,  were  stripp(^d  from  her 
bv  her  oflended  bridegroom,  who  left  her  exposed  to  myriad 
evils  and  the  prev  of  a  tlionsand  dangers:  thus  \'enus  was 
avenged. 

An  amusing  feature  in  the  story  is  that  Pucius,  though 
metmnorphosed  into  his  asinine  form,  ])reserved  his  humai 
intellect,  and  throughout  the  night  listened  to  the  story,  at 
he  says,  from  beginning  to  end,  regretting  he  had  no  tablets 
to  record  such  a.  beautiful  fable  vrrhiithii  ct  literatim. 

The  next  da\-  the  brigands  drove  Lucius  to  another  cave 
to  load  him  again  with  iKiofy  :  knowing  tliat  he  staggered 
already,  they  spoke  together  of  killing  him.  Leaving  him 
outside  the  cave  with  the  old  woman  and  Carite,  they  entered 
to  seek  in  tlie  recesses  of  llie  cavern  anotlun-  charge  of  treas- 
ures. Lucius  iiad  listened,  and,  rnminating,  he  said  to  liim- 
self,   "What   dost   tliou   here,   Liu'ius  .'  for  wliat  dost  thou  ut- 


1 
as 


400  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

tend.'  Seest  thou  not  tlmr  >!i(iiil(lsr  tIkmi  full  iVdui  iuiv  of 
these  |ircci|jiccs,  tliv  tender  liu(l\-  would  l)e  hrukeu  du  the 
sharp  rocks  and  th\"  niendiei's  dispersc'd.'  ,Vrni  tliAself  with 
good  resolution,  profit  li\'  this  opportiniitv,  relieve  tlivself  ot' 
this  old  attendant.  Dost  thou  tear  her,  halt'  alive.'  (Jive 
her  a  kick,  if  onh'  with  thv  linipinii-  foot,  and  lie  free;  re- 
membei'  thv   Fotis  and  be  free." 

In  another  moment  he  started  off,  followed  hv  the  old 
o'uarilian  woman,  who  lirasped  the  loni;'  rope  of  his  halter 
and  still  held  tenaciously,  tliouiih  quickl\-  thrown  to  earth 
by  vigorous  kicks  from  Lucius.  At  this  moment  Carite,  as  if 
inspired,  ran  to  his  aid,  and  seizing  the  halter  cord  momited 
(piicklv  on  Lucius,  giving  him  vigorous  blows  and  flattering 
words  until  he  was  soon  in  a  gallop.  ( 'arite  called  him  her 
dear  animal,  and  bade  him  save  her  also,  and  promised  him 
that  should  she  arrive  in  securitv  at  her  jiarents'  estate  and 
find  refuge,  his  services  should  never  Ije  forgotten.  "Dear 
animal,"  said  she,  "I  will  comb  th\'  locks  and  nourish  thee 
and  load  thee  with  mv  jewels:  all  that  thou  desirest  to  eat 
1  will  dailv  brins-  thee  in  mv  silk  aiiron.  I  will  have  a  "eni 
engraved  commemorating  this  thv  flight,  which  shall  be  treas- 
ured bv  future  generations  of  my  family;  it  shall  be  known 
bv  this  title:  'The  illustrious  damsel  saved  from  captivitx' b\- 
an  a.ss ;'  and  postcn'itv,  knowing  that  this  is  truth,  will  no 
longer  doubt  that  I'hrvxus  traversed  the  sea  on  a  goat  nor 
that  Arion  was  .saved  on  the  back  of  a  dol}ihin  :  as  we  know 
that  Jupiter  appeared  disguised  in  the  form  of  a  bidl,  it  is  not 
impossible  that  under  th\'  figTU-e  now,  that  of  an  ass.  mav  be 
concealed  some   man   or  e\'eu   a    i^od." 

Tliev  were,  ho\\e\'er,  doomeil  to  disappointment:  b\"  the 
light  of  the  moon  a  portion  of  the  banel  of  robbers  saw  and 


LUCIUS.  407 

overtook  tlioiii.  Tlicv  were  reeondncted  to  the  cavern,  and 
a  couiu-il  was  lield  at  wliieh  it  was  urged  that  hoth  the  ass 
and  ("arite  slionhl  ))e  immolated. 

In  late  expeditions  a  nnmber  of  tlieir  hand  had  been 
killed,  and  on  tliis  ver\'  oceasion  it  was  deciiled  to  acoept  an 
addition  to  their  t'oree  in  tlie  ])erson  of  a  large  and  line- 
looking  man.  lleiniis  bv  name,  who  presented  himself  in  very 
dilapidated  costume,  and  who  related  his  marvellous  exploits 
in  Macedonia  as  a  leader  of  brigands ;  his  re])utation  Avas  well 
known  ti>  them,  and  after  hearing  him  thev  received  him 
among  them  and  even  (dected  him  as  tlieii'  captain.  This 
Hi'nms  pruveil  to  lie  Tlepoleme,  tlie  h^ver  and  betrothed 
of  Carite  :  he  liad  resorted  to  this  stratagem,  imjiersonating 
the  cehdirated  brigand,  in  the  hojx'  of  rescuing  his  beloved 
fiancee.  That  night  Tlepoleme  celebrated  his  ap|)ointment  as 
captain  b\-  giving  tlie  brigamls  a  ro\al  feast:  serving  them 
hims(df,  lie  ])lied  them  witli  wine,  wliich  iinalh  he  drugged: 
he  tlien  bound  them  all  \\  itli  cords,  mounted  liis  ( 'ai'ite  on  the 
ass  Lucius,  and  on  arriving  at  their  manor  there  was  a  grand 
fete  and  rejoicing.  Tlepoleme  returned  with  mauA'  horses  and 
Lucius  to  the  cave,  threw  the  brigands  down  tlie  precipices, 
and   carried  off  all   the  treasures. 

Tlepoleme  and  Carite  were  married,  and  Lucius  was  re- 
warded with  every  comfort  as  the  lil)er;itor.  Alas  !  this  was 
of  short  duration,  for  Tlepoleme  Avas  killed  at  a  wild-boar 
hunt,    and   ( 'ai'ite   did  not   long-  survive  him. 

Throughout  this  marvellous  historv  Lucius  had  many  more 
adventures.  At  one  time  he  was  put  u))  for  sale  at  auction 
with  other  animals.  Lucius,  seeing  that  a  certain  Philebe 
had  an  idea  of  liuving  him.  showed  himself  ofi'  to  disadvan- 
tage, kicking  furiously  with  both  hind  legs,  hoping  to  disgust 


40.S  TXTERESTTXa    INCIDENTS. 

the  woiild-lx'  ])urcli;is('i- :  \m\  in  \;iiii:  I'hili'lx'  faiicitMl  Lucius, 
;ni(I  led  liini  n\vii\'  anew  to  captiN  ir\  ;  tlieu  tollow  tlie  adven- 
tures with    riiil('l)e. 

To  <iive  all  the  details  of  the  adventures  of  Lueius 
would  make  two  larii'e  volumes.  It  will  lie  luiderstood  that 
this  ver\'  peculiar  and  auuisiui"'  romance  of  Apuleius  is 
o'iven  as  an  examjjle  of  the  resources  foi-  literarv  amusement 
one  may  tind  in  becoming  better  acijuainted  with  the  auti(iue 
gems. 

In  a  few  words,  therefore,  subsequeutlv  our  ass  Lucius 
was  sold  to  a  soldier,  who  in  turn,  being  forced  to  obev  his 
colonel,  who  had  ordered  him  to  carrv  letters  to  Kome  to  the 
emperor,  s(dd  him  for  (deven  deniei's  (about  >^LS())  to  two 
bi-others — one  an  excellent  cook,  and  the  other  a  ])attissier — 
both  servants  of  a  grand  seignior  named  Thvasus  of  Corinth. 
The  cooks  had  man^"  plats  or  dishes  left  from  the  repasts  of 
their  master,  with  poultrw  fish,  and  all  sorts  of  ragouts,  ])as- 
try,  l)iscuits,  and  comtitures  :  of  an  evening  tliev  went  to  the 
pnl)lic  baths,  and  then  Lucius,  who  now  was  not  so  nnu-h  of 
an  ass  as  to  eat  hay  when  such  delicacies  as  he  had  fornierlv 
enjoyed  \\ere  freely  to  be  had,  regaled  himself  with  chicken, 
fi.sli,  pastry,   etc.  etc. 

The  brothers  soon  noticed  the  loss  of  so  manv  \iauds.  and 
finally  one  evening,  in  l('a\ing  for  tlie  bath.  the\-  locked  up 
the  ])remises  and  remained  peeping  tln-ongh  a  large  crevice 
in  the  dooi-.  and  thus  discovered  that  it  was  the  ass  Lucius 
who  had  committed  all  the  thefts.  Thev  could  not  be  angrv, 
but  were  v<M-\-  mncdi  amazed.  The  seignior  Thvasus  rejoiced 
at  a  spectacle  so  uoncI  :  hiniscdf  led  Lucins  into  the  dining- 
room,  where  he  caused  tlie  ass  to  be  served  with  all  sorts  of 
delicacies    and   placed    him   at    the    table,    and,   seeing    that    he 


LUCIUS.  -109 

devoured  those  meats  so  eagerly,  lie  ordered  his  servants  to 
till  his  ii-oldeii  bowl  with   wine  and  offer  that. 

The  hall  resounded  with  peals  of  lanuhter  from  all  who 
saw  him,  for  t1u'\'  had  railed  all  the  household  to  beholil  the 
surprising  gormandizing  of  sm-h  an  aniuial.  On  seeing  Lu- 
cius quaff  the  wine  and  smack  his  great  lips,  Thyasus  said 
to  the  two  brothers,  "  This  is  indeed  remarkable.  I  nnist 
a})propriate  this  ass,  and  you  shall  have  many  times  whatever 
he  has  cost  von."  He  further  ordered  that  Lucius  should  lie 
especially  cared  for. 

The  steward  to  whose  charge  he  was  entrusted,  desiring 
to  please  in  all  things  the  seignior,  was  very  attentive  and 
kind  to  Liu-ius.  and  taught  him  to  sit  at  table,  to  stand  erect 
upon  his  hind  legs  like  a  man.  (This  is  the  moment  repre- 
sented on  the  intaglio  No.  il^o.)  He  also  trained  him  to  make 
signs  with  his  head  of  apjiroval  or  disapproval  of  the  food 
offered  him,  and  to  wink  his  eyes  when  he  wanted  to  drink. 

Thyasus,  who  hail  long  intended  to  return  to  his  own 
country,  to  ("orinth,  where  he  had  promised  in  the  event  of 
his  visit  to  give  a  grand  fete,  now  decided  to  make  the  jour- 
ney, and,  though  possessed  of  rolling  phfetons  and  horses  of 
Thessaly.  ])referred  the  ass  Lucius,  and,  after  causing  Inm  to 
be  dressed  with  new  bridle,  saddle,  and  trappings  decked  with 
silver  and  gold  ornaments  and  inanv  tinkling  bells,  thus 
mounted,  Tlnasus  returned  "-avlv  to  his  native  province  and 
town. 

So  great  became  the  wonder  of  the  community  on  hear- 
ing of  the  astoni.shing  ])erformances  of  the  ass  that  Thyasus 
consented  to  make  a  public  exhilntiou  of  him  in  the  arena. 
As  a  numerous  assembU'  was  gathei"ing  in  the  amphitheatre, 
the  introductorv  performances  had  even  conmieiiced,  and  dec- 


410  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

orntidiis  of  tlic  tiilile  \\itli  viands,  etc.  wciv  Ijoiiio-  propavcd ; 
l>iil  this  iiut  Ikmiil;'  til  tli<'  likiiiii'  of  Lucius,  wlio,  fcariuj^-  tliat 
all  accident  nii^lit  lict'all  luiii  in  a  jiuMic  cncdosurc,  wlicfe  wild 
animals  were  also  to  Ix'  disjdaxcd,  without  niaii\'  second 
tliouglits  lie  decidc(l  to  decaiu]),  and,  seeing;'  that  all  tlie  at- 
tendants were  occu|)ied  with  the  preparations,  lie  at  lirst 
slowlx'  moved  outside  the  eiudosnre,  and,  Ix'iiiji'  until  no\\" 
unknown  in  the  country,  he  was  soon  on  liis  wav :  and  once 
started  lie  increaseil  liis  speed,  never  stop])ing  tintil  lie  arrived 
\cr\'  much  heated  at  the  seashore,  A\liere  he  rested  on  the  sand 
for  a  while:  he  then  walked  into  the  surf  and  hathed  super- 
stitiously  his  head  seven  times;  then  after  pravmg-  earnestlv 
to  the  Deessof  heaxcn  that  his  condition  might  lie  improved 
and  his  human  form  restored,  he  took  some  repose  on  the 
sand. 

Wlien  lialf  awake  he  heheld  an  apparition;  it  was  the 
Deess  Diiii/d  D'ufi/i/nti.  This  name  was  given  to  her  after 
Minos  had  loved  and  pursued  her  till  she  leapt  into  the  sea, 
■when  she  was  saved  by  l)eing  caught  in  a  fisherman's  net.  In 
this  character  she  was  chiefly  the  go(hless  of  seafaring  people, 
and  as  such  was  worshipped  on  the  islands  and  coasts  of  the 
Mediterranean.  She  rose  from  the  waves  and  addressed  Lu- 
cius, telliuff  him  that  she  had  loii"'  heen  troubled  to  see  him 
in  this  uncomelv  animal  form.  "I  come  to  thee,  Lucius;  th\' 
prayers  have  touclie(l  me.  I  am  Nature,  tlie  mother  of  all 
things,  the  mistress  of  the  elements,  the  source  and  origin  of 
centiu'ies,  the  sovereign  of  divinities,  the  queen  of  souls,  and 
first  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  liea\eiis.  Listen  to  the  orders 
which  1  shall  give  thee. 

"The  day  that  will  follow  this  night  has  been  consecrated 
to  me  from  all  time:  to-morrow   my  priests  shall  offer  to  me 


LUCIUS.  411 

tluMr  festal  oblations  for  mv  Ijlessiiiti-  on  navijiatioii,  when  will 
lie  ilcdicatod  to  iiic  a  new  haniuo  that  lias  not  yet  served,  that 
1  mav  (luiet  tlie  waves,  and  tliat  it  may  p)  joyonsly  on  the 
great  deep  witliout  feai',  tliat  the  tempests  of  winter  may  not 
harm  it.  Attend  this  fete  ^^  ith  devotion  and  with  a  tranquil 
spirit.  ^ly  hi<>-h  priest  will  eome  followinii'  my  instruetions : 
he  will  approach  ine  durini;-  the  eeremony  with  a  wreath  of 
roses  attache<l  to  his  sistre,  Avhich  he  will  carry  hi  liis  right 
hand.  I  tell  thee,  Lucius,  toUow  the  crowd,  and  approach  with 
confidence  in  mv  kind  intentions,  and  when  thou  art  near  to 
the  hi,i;h  ])riest  incline  thy  head  as  tlunigh  thou  wouldst  kiss 
his  hand;  tlien,  Lucius,  eat  of  the  roses.  Liimediately  tliou 
shalt  commence  to  shed  tliine  animal  coat,  and  thou  shalt 
relinquish  that  loathsome  form." 

When  Diana  Dictvnna  had  declared  all  her  instructions  to 
tlie  ass,  she  disappeared,  and,  full  of  consternation,  jo}',  and 
admiration  at  the  beneficence  manifesteil  1)y  this  potent  Deess, 
Lucius  went  and  bathed  himself  again  in  the  sea,  all  his 
thoughts  occupied  with  the  sovereign  orders  received. 

As  the  coming  sun  dispelled  the  i)ower  of  night,  all  the 
api)roaches  to  the  scene  of  the  iVte  were  thronged  with  gay 
pleasure-seekers :  there  was  joy  depicted  on  the  countenances 
of  all;  even  Lucius  smiled,  and  it  seemed  to  him  that  other 
animals  looked  happy ;  it  was  a  beautiful  return  of  spring. 
The  procession  commenced  to  move.  It  was  a  throng  of 
di\erselv-costumed  men  and  ^^■omen,  each  one  following  his 
own  taste  or  inclination  in  making  liis  toilet:  all  occupations 
and  trades  were  represented,  from  the  jdiilosopher  seeking  to 
learn  something  to  the  fishermen  carrying  their  ruddy-colored 
nets.  Li  the  midst  of  this  joyous  and  pleasure-seeking  people 
with  queenh-  pomp   advanced  the  protecting  Deess:  she  was 


412  lyTERESTIXG    TXCWEXTS. 

\)Y('r9d(.'d  In'  a  curps  (if  l)eautit'ul  Aiiunii'  \voiiifn  dressed  in 
white,  (■aiT\  iuL;-  \  ariuus  enildenis  in  tlieir  liaiids:  tlie\  liad 
crowns  (it  spriiiLi'  Hdwevs  im  tlieir  licads,  and  ntliers  ■with 
wliich  thev  strewe(l  tlie  rdUte  nil  wliicli  tlie  sacred  trdiipe 
shduld  pass:  the\'  liad  luirrdrs  on  their  shduhh-rs.  in  -wliich 
J>iana  Dictxiina  coidd  see  those  passing;'  in  trout  df  lier  and 
those  cdiniiiL:'  trdiii  lieliind:  dtliers  luid  i\(ii'\"  cduihs  and 
sweetlv-sceiited  liHes  witli  Avhicli  to  deck  tlie  tresses  df  the 
queen  of  divim'ties:  whilst  others  sprinkle(l.  drop  ])V  dro]). 
Lefore  her  feet  fraiiranf  liahiis  and  precious  oils.  Then  fol- 
lowed  p'reat  nnnd)ers  of  torchnieii  and  laiiiji-bearers  that  had 
niarclied  the  in<iht  coming-  from  afar:  men  with  visao-es 
half  hhudc  and  half  ^'(31(1 ;  <me  with  a  doo-'s  head:  another 
marchinii'  with  ]ii'(iud  step  bearinfi'  on  his  shoulders  a  fio-ure 
of  a  cow  standinjj;-  erect  on  its  hind  le.us,  also  typical  of  the 
deit\' ;  ])riests  carrxini;'  sniuIkiIs — amoUL;'  others,  one  with  a 
lieantifulK'  wronjiht  casket  cdutaiuini:',  safely  encdosed,  the  se- 
crets and  the  mysteries  of  their  religion  patiently  inscrihed 
on  iiarchment :  followinL:'  hiui,  an  acoK'te  ])ressinii'  to  his 
liosoui  the  adorable  iuiai^e  of  the  sovereign  dixinity,  which 
was  in  the  form  of  neither  bird  nor  beast,  neither  of  man,  luit 
venerable  from  its  singidaritA".  Bv  the  excellence  of  its  con- 
strnctiou  it  marked  the  subliuiit\'  of  tlie  religion,  and  signiiieil 
that  its  iu\'steries  should  be  hidden  in  prdfduud  silence:  it  was 
a  !i'dlden  \ase  (if  be;nitiful  workmanship  on  whicli  were  en- 
o-raved   the   mar\(dldus  hiero<>-lvi)liics  oi'  the    Kizvptians. 

At  last  ap]irdache(l  the  faxurable  nidinent  promised  b\-  the 
powerful  Deess:  the  high  priest  advanced  :is  Diana  Hictynna 
had  predicte(l ;  he  carrie(l  that  whi(li  should  ndiexe  Lucius 
of  all  his  nusfortunes.  The  crown  of  roses  was  there:  it  was 
indeed  a  crown  for  Lncius,  for  by  it,  after  having  supported  so 


•A 


LUCIUS.  415 

niucli  lal)or  and  escapcMl  s(i  many  pci'ils,  lie  was  now  to  come 
off  victorious  over  the  enemy  of  fortune  wlio  had  sii  long  per- 
secuted him. 

Although  seized  witli  a  sensation  of  extraordinarA-  jov, 
Lucius  advanced  calmly:  fearing  lest  by  the  al)rui)t  approach 
of  such  an  anhnal  he  might  trouble  the  order  of  the  cere- 
monies of  the  fete,  he  advanced  respectfully  through  that  sea 
of  people,  who  amiably  made  the  jtassnge  free  for  him. 

As  soon  as  the  priest  saw  Lucius,  he  remembered  the  ))re- 
monition  he  had  received  that  niyht  in  a  dream,  and  was  evi- 
dently  pleased  tc»  see  that  events  were  transpiring  as  Diana 
had  amiounceil  to  him:  he  sto})ped  for  a  moment  seized  with 
admiration,  then  voluntarilv  apjiroacheil  Lucius  with  the  crown 
which  he  held  in  his  hand.  With  trembling  heart  Lucius 
tasted  and  devoured  the  fresh  red  roses  with  aviditv  :  innne- 
diately  he  experienced  the  effect  promised  by  Diana ;  he  was 
conscious  that  his  animal  form  was  chano-in<;.  That  ruiin-ed 
hairiness  fell  from  him:  he  did  indeed  shed  his  coat;  his  skin, 
which  had  been  thick  and  hard,  became  tender  and  delicate; 
liis  horny  hoofs  l)ecame  feet  with  toes;  his  hands  ceased  to 
be  feet  and  were  restored  to  their  functions;  his  neck  short- 
ened: his  head  and  face  assnmed  a  human  shape:  his  long- 
ears  diminished  and  returned  to  their  original  state ;  his  great 
teeth  once  more  resembled  those  of  men;  and  that  long  ngly 
tail,  of  Avliich  he  was  always  ashamed,  disappeared  entirely. 

Every  one  was  struck  with  admiration :  the  ])ious  adored 
the  manifest  power  of  the  great  Diana,  Act  as  in  a  dream 
they  raised  their  arms  to  heaven  and  praiseil  the  beneficent 
Deess. 

Lucius,  overwhelmed  with  the  excess  of  his  y>\\  at  first 
remained  silent,  not   having  the  force  to  open  his   mouth,   al- 


416  IXTERESTIXa    LX<TnEXTS. 

tlumgli  tile  f;icult\'  (if  spcTcli  was  ivston-il  tn  liim.  IK'  did 
Hot  l<ii()\\  lidw  nr  wlici'c  til  Ix'tiin  (ir  li\"  \\liat  expressions  siifti- 
cieiitK'   diiiiiilicfl   lie   cmild   express  his    p-ntitiide  t(i  the  deity. 

For  a  ninnuMit  tlie  high  priest  remained  speechless,  so 
greatl\'  \\as  lie  impressed:  he  tlieu  commanded  one  of  the 
ministers  to  lav  off"  liis  outer  garment  of  white  and  clothe 
Lucius.  When  the  otlicer  had  obeyed  his  command,  the  high 
priest  regarded  Lucius  witli  a  face  Aviiereon  joy  was  inscribed, 
and  thus  addressed  him:  "After  all  the  pains  that  thou  hast 
suft'ered,  after  manv  rude  assaults  of  turtune,  thou  art  set 
free.  The  tempests  are  calmed:  thou  hast  arrived  in  a  port 
of  repose:  after  all  the  faidts  and  failings  of  thy  life  thou 
art  brought  into  the  presence  of  that  ha])py  estate  Avhicli  one 
enjovs  when  life  is  consecrated  to  religion;  thou  art  deliv- 
ered from  all  tin'  misfortunes.  Consecrate  thyself  to  the  ser- 
vice of  this  god,  and  with  a  visage  in  accordance  witli  that 
pure  garment  join  with  those  who  are  devoted  to  the  cause 
and  worsliiii  of  Diana,  and  thou  shalt  with  fuller  pleasure 
enjov  tliv  lil)erty." 

After  these  words  the  iirocession  moved  on,  Lucius  march- 
ing amongst  the  }iriests  and  ministers:  he  was  observed  on 
all  sides.  When  the  cortege  arrived  at  the  seashore,  just  at 
the  point  where  Luciiis  had  slept  the  previous  night,  the  high 
priest  conducted  the  ceremonv  of  consecrating  the  new  ship 
to  the  Deess  Diana  Dict^"nna:  its  sides  were  richly  decorated 
with  curious  Egyptian  characters  painted  in  enduring  colors, 
which  had  been  ])urified  by  an  ardent  torch,  and  all  the  nml- 
titude  emulated  one  another  in  casting  tlieir  ornaments  and 
precious  offerings  into  the  vessel.  ^Mien  the  beautiful  craft 
was  thus  charged  its  sails  were  unfurled,  and  a  propitious 
breeze  Avafted  it  soon  be}'ond  the   hoi'izon.     The  jjeople  then 


LUCIUS.  417 

returned  with  the  priests  to  the  temple  and  replaced  all  the 
imag-es  and  sacred  vases ;  the  names  of  the  niemljers  of  the 
society  of  the  hoh'  temple  were  then  called,  and  th«  high 
priest  pronounced  an  allocution,  calling  from  Heaven  bless- 
ings and  prosperity  on  the  emperor,  the  senate,  the  chevaliers, 
and  all  the  Roman  people.  The  ceremonies  were  then  de- 
clared acconi]dished,  and  all  were  requested  to  retire. 

Lucius  remained  with  his  eyes  riveted  on  the  holy  image 
of  the  goddess  that  relieved  him  from  all  his  misfortunes, 
and  his  renown  spread  throughout  all  the  land.  His  parents, 
domestics,  and  slaves,  so  soon  as  they  could  assure  them- 
selves of  the  thought  that  Lucius,  so  long  mourned  as  dead, 
was  living,  cast  aside  their  sorrow  and  came  with  joy  and 
Avith  presents  to  welcome  the  man  whom  Diana  Dictynna 
had  rescued  from  Lderno. 

After  a  stipulated  time  Lucius  was  consecrated  to  the  holy 
priesthood  of  Diana :  he  always  replied  to  those  whose  curi- 
ositv  caused  them  to  ask  what  he  learned  and  saw  in  the 
hidden  mysteries  of  the  inner  life  of  the  temple,  "  The  voice 
that  should  reveal  them  to  you,  and  even  the  ears  that  should 
listen  to  the  recital  of  tliese  holy  secrets,  should  receive  the 
merited  doom  of  such  blasphemous  indiscretion." 

This  is  the  incident  of  intaglio  No.  923.  The  response 
from  Lucius  when  questioned  about  the  secrets  and  mys- 
teries of  the  inner  temple  reminds  us  of  the  gems  of  the 
Abraxas  pei-iod,  Avhicli  it  is  known  were  received  by  the  peo- 
ple from  their  priests  with  confidence  in  their  unintelligible 
designs  or  talismanic  powers.  They,  like  Lucius,  believed 
that  no  questions  were  to  be  asked. 

These  gems  are  more  interesting  to  me  from  the  fact  that 
thev  bear  on   their  faces  mysteries   that  never  can   be   fully 

27 


418  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

revealed — eno-raved  sentiments  that  were  only  tally  compre- 
hensible to  the  priests  that  in  sincerity  inscribed  them,  and 
thereon  indited  ])rayers  and  symbols  which  they  religiously 
believed  woulil  kcc[)  their  people  nearer  to  God,  truer  to  one 
another  and  to  their  nation. 

The  Triune  God  whom  now  we  know  and  adore,  and  in 
whom  is  all  our  trust,  was  not  yet  t'ullv  revealed  to  them.  It 
is  to  be  understood  that  the  scenes  in  the  romance  of  Lucius 
are  descriptive  of  a  sect  existing  centuries  before  the  advent 
of  Clmst  and  the  Abraxas. 


PLATE    A. 


THE  AGATE  OF  TIBEKIUS  ;    ALSO  KNOWX  AS  THE  APOTHEOSIS  OF  AUGUSTUS. 


THE  CELEBRATED  CAMEOS  OF 
EUROPEAN  MUSEUMS. 


Thts  far,  all  gems  spoken  of  or  from  which  we  have  inci- 
dents are  from  my  own  collection. 

It  still  remains  for  us  to  give  a  glance  at  some  of  the  most 
celebrated  cameos  extant  or  in  the  museums  of  Europe.  True, 
manv  of  them  are  well  known  hy  fireside  travellers,  who  liave 
seen  all  the  treasures  of  tlie  world  through  the  medium  of  illus- 
tx-ated  books. 

The  interpretations  of  these  subjects  are  my  own. 

First  Plate,  A.  The  gem  known  as  the  great  cameo  of  the 
Saiiite  CJuqx'Ue,^  the  agate  of  Tiberius,  the  Apotheosis  of  Au- 
gustus, and  for  a  long  time  thought  to  l)e  the  trium])h  of 
Joseph  over  Pharaoh. 

"  This  precious  cameo  was  carried  from  Constantinople  to 
Saint  Louis,  and  from  Louis  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Charles 
v.,  wlio  ])laced  it  in  the  Sainte  ChiqicUv  of  his  palace ;  at  tliat 
time  it  was  still  considered  to  represent  Josepli  triumphing  over 
Pharaoli."'' 

The  stone  measures  12f-  inches  high  by  10^  inches  wide. 
It  is  in  three  strata;  the  entire  field  is  occui)ied  by  the  design 
and  contains  twenty-two  figures. 

The  following  is  mv  own  idea  of  the  cameo :  Tiberius,  with 
the  bearing  of  a  mighty  ruler,  leans  with  the  left  hand  upon 

'  Tlie  engraving  is  from  a  drawing  made  expressly  fnr  tliis  treatise,  after  a  photograph 
of  the  gem. 

'  Dicllonnaire  iPune  Suciele  tie  Saranl.<,  etc.,  p.  279,  Bibliotlieiiiie  Xationale,  Paris. 

421 


422  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

the  staff  of  empire :  in  the  right  Iiolds  a  crooked  baton,  the 
Htnns,  witli  whicli  to  divide  the  expanse  of  tlie  heavens;  he 
is  hiureated,  as  is  also  liis  motlier,  Livia  (the  widow  of  An- 
gustus),  who  is  seated  beside  him  on  tlie  throne;  she  im])er- 
sonates  Hertha,  tlie  goddess  of  the  earth  among  the  ancient 
Germans,  and  is  significant  of  the  recent  Roman  conquests 
over  that  country ;  in  her  hand  is  a  sprig  -with  fruit  resem- 
bling the  pomegranate.  The  skin  of  the  sacred  goat,  Amal- 
thea,  the  well-known  decoration  of  the  ^Egis,  the  breast-shield 
in  contests,  is  now,  in  token  of  peace,  upon  the  lap  of  Tiberius  ; 
it  hangs  as  drapery  upon  the  sitting  form  of  the  emperor,  v^\\o 
otherwise  Avould  be  the  only  nude  figure  in  the  group.  Ger- 
manicus  (so  called  and  known  from  his  military  exploits  in 
Germany),  clad  in  helmet,  aljolla,  and  girdle  of  mail,  with 
shield,  stands  erect  before  his  jealous  uncle,  and,  though  con- 
scious of  the  motives  of  Tiberius  in  sendino-  him  on  the  ex- 
pedition,  signifies  his  willingness  to  depart  for  Asia. 

Germanicus  seems  to  be  pushing  away  with  his  shield  the 
arm  of  Antonia  (his  mother),  who  looks  to  him,  wishing  to 
dissuade  him  from  returning  so  liastiK'  to  tlie  field;  he  })resses 
his  helmet  more  firmly  in  place.  Behind  him  is  his  wife, 
Ag-rippina,  holding  a  scroll,  and  his  sou  Caligula  in  armor, 
who  stands  u])on  an  efiigy  significant  of  the  enemv  his  ^•outh- 
ful  ardor  hopes  to  subjxigate. 

Behind  the  throne  the  warrior  in  armor  who  in  an  attitude 
of  exultation  holds  forth  his  right  hand  and  arm  is  supposed  to 
be  Drusus,  the  brother-in-law  of  Germanicus;  his  wife,  Livilla, 
sister  of  Germanicus,  is  seated  on  a  chair  of  state  ornamented 
with  sphinxes;'  at  her  feet  is  a  figure  in  Eastern  costume 
bowed  with  soi-row,  and  probably  representing  the  conquered 

'  Several  similar  cliairs  have  been  excavated  at  Pomijeii. 


PLATE    B. 


THE  CORONATION  OF  AtGUSTUS. 


CELEBRATED    CAMEOS    OF   EUROPEAN   MUSEUMS.     425 

province  of  Diicia  supiilicating-  military  intervention  and  assist- 
ance. Remark  the  ditierence  between  the  sentiment  here  ex- 
pressed and  the  complete  lielplessness  and  despair  of  the  gmup 
of  captives  beh)\v  the  central  snbject. 

In  reo-ard  to  the  u-n»up  occupying  the  upper  field,  the  third 
division  of  this  gem,  the  Apotheosis  of  Atigustus,  I  make  the 
lV)llo\ving  suggestions:  Augustus,  leaving  his  empire  on  this 
earth,  mounts  swiftly  to  Paradise,  borne  by  the  winged  horse 
Pegasus,  who  is  lovingly  led  by  an  angel ;  he  is  awarded  with 
a  reception  befitting  his  terrestrial  rank. 

The  Queen  of  Heaven,  with  vestal  drapery,  diadem,  and 
sceptre,  awaits  him.  A  celestial  attendant  bearing  a  globe 
approaches  liim  with  this  emblem  of  the  new  world  into  which 
he  is  about  to  enter:  and  his  future  career  is  symbolically 
shown  to  liim  in  the  mirror  of  the  new  life  held  in  his  view 
by  one  of  the  heavenly  host. 

Second  Plate,  B.  In  the  Imperial  Cabinet  of  Austria  at 
Vienna  is  another,  on  sardonyx,  in  three  strata.  This  precious 
monument  is  attributed  to  Dioscorides;  its  dimensions  are  9 
bv  8  inches. 

"  It  Avas  forciblv  taken  by  Philippe  le  Bel  from  its  hiding- 
place  in  Jerusalem,  and  presented  l)y  him  to  the  Abbaye  de 
Poissy,  from  \\iience  it  was  stolen  during  the  religious  Avars 
of  the  sixteenth  century,  and  then  came  into  the  possession 
of  the  Erajieror  Rudolph  II."' 

On  the  throne  sits  Livia  as  the  goddess  Roma,  and  the 
Emperor  Augustus :  above  him  is  his  horoscope,  Capricorn, 
under  which  sign  he  was  born.  Behind  him  is  a  group  of 
figures  personifying  his  happy  reign;  Cybele,  with  tuiTeted 
beretto,  is  placing  a  crown  upon  the  head  of  Augustus.     In 

'  Dictionnaire  dune  Societe  des  Savants,  etc.,  Bibliotheque  Rationale,  Paris. 


426  INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 

front  of  tlie  throne  the  emperor's  stepson,  Tiberius,  steps  from 
a  victoriously-drawn  cliariot  to  report  to  the  emperor  the 
rebelHon  of  the  I'annonian  and  Illyrian  provinces  (G-0  a.  d.). 
Near  the  chariot  stands  young  Germanicus. 

In  the  lower  tableau  a  military  legion  erects  a  token  of 
victory  over  the  weejjing  Pannonians  and  the  enchained  Danu- 
bians ;  prisoners  are  dragged  along  by  tlie  Roman  allies.' 

Third  Plate,  C.  The  celebrated  Tazza  Farnese  of  Naples.-' 
It  stands  in  a  revolving  frame  near  the  north  window  of  the 
gem-room  of  the  Neapolitan  Museum.  It  is  a  beautiful  saucer, 
embellished  with  cameos  outside  and  inside;  measures  C,},  inches 
in   diameter  and   1    inch  in  depth. 

It  apears  to  have  been  executed  before  the  middle  of  the 
second  century  a.  h..  as  it  resembles  in  several  characteristics 
cameos  representing  emperors  and  tlie  events  of  tliat  period. 

On  the  under  part,  the  outside,  in  low  relief,  is  a  liead  of 
^ledusa,  and  on  the  inside  a  group  of  seven  persons  and  an 
allegorical  representation  of  the  Nile.  EgA-pt  is  personated 
by  the  female  in  the  foreground  seated  on  a  sphinx ;  on  the 
left  Nilus,  the  deity  of  the  river,  with  a  cornucopia  svmbolical 
of  the  fruitfulness  produced  by  its  inundations;  on  the  right 
are  two  females  representing  the  pi-o\inces  of  tlie  siuux-es  of 
the  Nile,  one  drinking  its  water,  the  otlier  regarding  the  svm- 
bol  of  its  plenitude.  In  the  centre,  erect,  in  the  Idoom  of  liis 
}Oung  manhood,  stands  Antinous,  whom  the  deilied  ri\er  has 
taken  unto  himself — twice  a  favorite.  The  figures  overliead 
are  perhaps  the  sj)irits  of  the  Kliamseen,  the  wind  which 
blows  fifty  days. 

'  Tliis  description  is  a  tianslatidii  of  ihe  one  sold,  with  a  photograph  full  size  of  tlie 
gem,  bv  the  government  in  the  Imperial  Koyal  Mint  at  Vienna.  The  engraving  is  from 
tlie  same  source. 

'  The  engraving  is  from  the  drawing  sold  at  the  .Mnseum  of  Xaples. 


PLATE    C.-l. 


FRONT   VIEW   OF  TAZZA   FARNESE. 


PLATE  C— 2. 


1 


BACK   VIEW  OF  TAZZA  FARNESE.-MEDl'SA. 


CELEBRATED    CAMEOS    OF   EUROPEAN   MUSEUMS.      431 

The  annexed  enyraving  (page  432),  >;ai(l  to  be  from  an 
antique  cameo  of  Christ,  is  given  a\  ith  Httle  eontidence  in  tlie 
authenticity  of  the  gem,  but  on  account  of  the  beautiful  de- 
scription accompanying  a  copy  I  saw  in  IMunich  some  years 
ago,  of  whicli  the  following  is  a  translation : 

"This  picture  is  taken  from  a  cameo  cut  on  emerald  b^-  tlie 
order  of  the  Emperor  Tiberius.  In  tlie  fifteenth  century  it  was 
taken  out  of  the  treasury-vault  at  Constantinople  and  deliv- 
ered by  the  emperor  of  the  Turks  to  Po])e  Innocent  YIII.  as 
a  ransom  for  his  brother,  at  that  time  a  prisoner  in  the  hands 
of  the  Christians.  The  following-  extract,  as  a  proof  of  the 
genuineness  of  the  })orti-ait,  is  translated  from  the  Latin  of  a 
contemporaneous  historian  : 

"  Publius  Lentulus,  at  that  time  viceroy  in  Judea,  wrote 
to  the  Senate  and  to  the  Roman  people  as  follows: 

"  'There  has  appeared  in  these  days  a  very  virtuous  man 
by  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  stdl  lives  among  us,  and  is 
looked  upon  by  the  heathen  as  a  prophet  of  trutli,  but  called 
by  his  own  followers  the  Son  of  God.  He  raises  the  dead 
and  cures  all  kinds  of  diseases.  A  man  of  somewhat  larae 
and  imposing  figure  and  very  venerable  appearance,  so  that 
all  who  see  him  are  compelled  to  love  as  well  as  fear  him. 
His  liair  has  the  color  of  a  very  ripe  hazel-mit,  down  to  the 
ears  almost  smooth,  from  thence  downward  slightly  curled  in 
waves  over  his  shoidders,  and  of  a  more  Oriental  color;  it  is 
parted  in  the  centre,  after  the  manner  of  the  Nazarenes.  His 
forehead  is  open  and  smooth;  his  face  without  freckles  or 
wrinkles,  beautiful,  and  agreeably  red;  nose  and  mouth  are 
formed  so  that  no  fault  can  be  found  with  either;  the  beard 
is  rather  full,  corresponding  well  in  color  with  the  hair,  not  of 
great  length;  his  eyes  are  gray,  clear,  and  full  of  life. 


432 


INTERESTING    INCIDENTS. 


'"His  body  is  well-formed  iUid  straight,  his  hands  and 
arms  finely  proportioned.  In  censuring-  he  is  dreadful;  in 
reasoning,  friendly  and  engaging;  in  discourse,  moderate — 
wisdom  and  modesty  l:)lended  ^^it]l  dignity.  No  one  recol- 
lects ever  seeing  him  laugh,  hut  many  have  seen  him  weej). 
"'A  man  whose  personal  beauty  excels  all  human  crea- 
tures.' " 


The  following-  are  tac-siiuiles  of  autogTupli  letters  from 
members  of  tlie  Academy  of  Inscriptions  of  the  Institute 
and  of  the  National  3Iiiscums  of  France  and  of  Rome,  to 
all  of  whom  for  years  past  the  author  has  been  greatly 
indebted,  both  for  valuable  information  and  for  cordial  in- 
terest  in   his   pursuits. 

These  letters  are  reproduced  here,  in  token  of  his  sincere 

gratitude. 

M.  S. 

Paris,  October,  1SS8. 

433 


Les  planches  siiivantes  contiennent  des  fac-similes  de 
lettres  autographes  adresses  a  I'auteur  par  des  membres 
de  I'Academie  des  Inscriptions,  par  des  Conservateurs  des 
Musees  Nationaux   de  France  et  de   Rome. 

Pendant  plusieurs  ainiees  il  a  regu  de  leur  obligeance 
des   renseignenients  importants. 

II  les  prie  d'agreer  I'expression  de  sa  reconnaissance. 

M.  S. 

Paris,  Ociobre,  1SS8. 

4.'io 


BIBLIOTHEqUE  ^y^ 

L'lNSTITUT    NATIONAL  /^  ,  CW 


DE    FRANCK 


im^  I 


.).^^j^^    ^C^ 


J  .i.^^'*-'*?- 


/ 


de  \ 


ISEJ^UA-AaTO 


DIRECTION 

DES 

A^USEES  NATIONAUX 


BIBLIOTHEOUE  (^'^  /  ,       ^ 

D  E 


L'.INSTITUT    NATIONAL 

DE    FRANCE 


Cy^, .,3.2.     -.-t.^O^  c"/^,./^A- 
7    'i^cX^(!,^/!'iy 


'''i/'iJ^—i-xr'-^^.T^  ,  ey-'Je.Jn_a.J^  y^L^^, 


^   U'^.pia//^.   y'irH,     I'irt,,     Cor     yfLIL^         /'/U/>m'mt^ V- 

^tu.,  /i/II^'7>7,t«rr7'<i /i(^.,  '^^/j^,  n.y^il, 


CJM'^ '"  />/'-"^^  "  5^  '?-««^_ 


AVhen  this  letter  was  written  liy  Monsieur  Clermont  Oannean  he  was  Mcmbre 
Cnrrespnndinil ;  a  lew  weeks  hiter,  a  vacancy  occnrrins;,  he  was  elected  Menilire  ile 
rAcadeniie  iles  Inscrijitiuns  et  Kelles-Lettres  dc  I'lnstitnt  de  Krance. 


BIBLIOTHEQUE  S^^.-d^     /^  O  C.HyS^YcfS"^ 

D  E 

L'lNSTlTUT    NATIONAL 

DE    FRANCE 


OlliiO-'^^ 


JHcL  ^  /A"^^  V^^^   ^y^^^C^^ 


( ^.fuyi^ifit 


6/5 


y-^t/i-u) 


jii^?t^  cyict  \roc^  ^^y   ^-^^  v-^-./i'c- wi^ 

V(j^^    iM^O-KT-ci     yyLcrnJfi^    vf^f^i^    (^^^^^-e^-t 


^^^  ^   ^-^^.V^/ 


^^ 


^Z^^aKi4<^*:*»^ 


M,^^^>-Tr 


c^'y.u^^ZZ^     ^>^^^^^    ^,.^^:;;:«e>    'S'^  ^,^-w^>»^^^e. 


/? 


^    ,       ^  ^^^..   ,^^.--/  -^/-^/ 


L-^^A-c-i? 


CATALOrrlTE  RAISONNE 


SOMMERTILLE  COLLECTIOX 


EXGEAVED  C^E^IS 

A   DESCRIPTIVE   LIST  OV  CAMEOS,  IXTACI.IOS,  SEALS, 
PINGS,  A.Ml'LETS,  TALISMAN'S,  Etc. 


A   COMPEND   OF  GRP^EK   AND   ROMAN    MYTHOLOGY 


CLASSICAL    HISTORY 


ILLUSTRATED   WITH    103   PLATE   PAGES   REPRESENTING  309   GEMS 


^fAXWELL    80MMERYILLE 


ISS'J 


Copyright,   1888, 
BY    MAXVVEL-L   SOMM  ERVILLE. 


PREFACE. 


The  Caljinet  of  Engraved  Gems  embraced  in  this  catalor/uc  raisonne 
has  been  collected  during  many  years  of  travel  in  Europe,  Africa,  and 
Asia  Miuor. 

It  is  esteemed  by  the  possessor  as  a  private  collection  of  curious 
glvptie  art,  with  exanijiles  of  Egyj)tian,  Assyrian  and  liabylonian,  Per- 
sian, iSassanian,  Etruscan,  Phoenician,  Greek,  Graico-Roman,  Roman, 
Abraxas  or  Gnostic,  Christian,  Byzantine,  Chinese,  Aztec  or  Mexican, 
The  Night  of  Art,  Cinc[ue-cento  or  Renaissance,  Antique  Paste,  Ani- 
mals and   Birds,  Classics,  History,  ]Mythok)gy,  etc.,  etc.,  engraved  on — 


Agahnatolite, 

Agate, 

Agate-Onyx, 

Alabaster, 

Amazon  Stone, 

Anibei", 

Amethyst, 

Antique  Paste, 

Aqua-marine  (Beryl 

Basalt, 

Black  Jade, 

Black  Serjientiue, 

Bronze, 

Carnelian, 


Ceragate-Onyx, 
Chalcedony, 
Chalcedony-Onyx, 
Ejryptian  .Jasper, 
Emerald, 
Garnet, 
Gijld, 

(xiay  Argillite, 
,  Green  Jade, 
Heliotrope, 
Hematite, 
Iceland  Jasper, 
Jacinth, 
Jade, 


Jasper, 
Jasper-Onyx, 
Labradorite, 
Lapis  Lazuli, 
Maculated  Argilla, 
Malachite, 
Nacre, 
Xephrite, 
Olisidiaii, 
Onyx, 

Oriental  .Tas]ier, 
Paragon  or  Touch- 
stone, 
Pebbles, 


Plasma  of  Emerald, 

Porphyry, 

Eed  Calcite, 

Rock  Crystal, 

Ruby, 

Sapphire, 

Sard, 

Sardonyx, 

Serpentine, 

Solenhofen  Stone, 

Spar, 

Steatite, 

Topaz, 

Turquoise,  etc. 


The  numbers  accompanying  the  illustrations  on  each  Plate  i-efer  to 
the  corresponding  numbers  in  the  catalogue  rainonne,  where  the  names 
and  descriptions  of  the  gems  may  be  found. 

455 


SOMMERVILLE     l  OLI.ECTK  IN 


PLATE   1. 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK'     ANTi     RdMAX    CAMEOS. 


SOM.MICIIVII.LE     i;i>l.l.KC|-|llN. 


PLATE  2. 


1(1  oljvcrse. 


10  reverse. 


MISCEI.LANKOUS    GREEK     AND     HUMAN    CAMEO?. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


MISCELLAXEorS    GREEK    AN"D    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  4. 


7EB£AaJ?\oHW' 


-r^^^^^^^ 

■^ 

i 

^^^^^^^^H 

El 

. 

^^^^^^^K 
^^^^^^m 

■9 

^ 

^ 

A 

Wr^ 

r 

^KT' 

-.;^^H 

E-J^^' 

-J 

g 

j 
1 

'  |H 

^^^B 

^^iflp^ 

^■^ 

S4 

MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK     ANT)     ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  5. 


MISCELLANEOUS     CREEK     AND     ROMAN     CAMEO* 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


64 


MISCELLANEOUS    GUEKK    AND     ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COI.I-ECTION. 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK     AND     ROMAX    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  8. 


MISCELLASEorS    GREEK     AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMKUVll.M-:     Cdl.LIXTION. 


MISCELI.ANEIJLS    GREEK    AXD     ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVII.I.E    COI.LErTins. 


PLATE   10. 


mN  If  np/vEE-t^^ 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK     AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


^( iM M Ki: VI r.i-K   1 1  iM.i:< tion-. 


PLATE   11. 


MISCELLANEOUS    liKKEK     ANIi     KDMAN    TAMEOS 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  12. 


MlSCELL.iXEOrS    GREEK     AND    lioMAN    CAMEO.S. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  13. 


MISCELL.A.XEOUS    GREEK     AXD     ROMAS    CAMEO.S. 


S(i.MMi:U\'II,I.K    lOI.I.K'TION. 


MlSCELI.AXEors    (iHEEK    AXl)     KciMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMiMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   15. 


MISCELL.\NF.OIS    (;REEK     .\NT)    ROMAN    (AMEOS. 


.<()MMERV1LLE    COLLECTIOX. 


PLATE  Ifi. 


MI.SCELLANEillS    OREEK    AXD    ROMAN    CAMEOS 


SOMMERVILI.E    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  17 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK    AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMEKVU.l.l':    COLl.ECTIOX. 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK     AXU     IU)MAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  I'.l. 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK     AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  20. 


MISCELLAXEOl?    GREEK     AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  n. 


407 


MLSCEI.LANEOCS    GREEK     AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMEK VlLl.K    I  OI.LECTION. 


PLATE  22. 


Obverse.  JiH  Revei>e. 


Ml.<rELL.\NEOr.*    liKEEK     AMI    ROMAX    I  AMEO.«. 


;;OMMERVn,I-E    COLLECTION. 


PLATE 


4rK 


MLSCELLANEOI-S    fiREEK     AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMEEVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  24. 


MISCELLANEOU.S    GREEK    AND     ROMAN    CAMEO.'!. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  25. 


V^ 


430 


^'--»»'1 


u 


(^■' 


434 

y^^ 

^ 

r 

^^^m\ 

MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK    AND    ROMAN    CAMEOS. 


SdMMKKVILLK    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  2f;. 


-^':V 


inPfl 


4Sfl  rvverst'. 


EGYPTIAN. 


SOMMKRVILI-E    COLI.KCTIUN. 


i 


m 


^ 


mi 


1465 


l-UiU 


EGYPTIAN. 


SOMMEKVILLE    COLLECTION. 


I'LATK   US. 


EGYPTIAN. 


r^OMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  29. 


1 


^■ 


IMPRESSIONS    OF    B.VKYLONIAN     ANli     PHOENICIAX    CYLIXDEKS. 


?0MME1;VI1.LE    roLLEtTlON. 


PLATE  Sn. 


IMPRESSIONS    (JF    ASSYRIAN     AND    BABYLOXIAX    CYLINDERS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


t'LATE   »1. 


136fi 


^f'l^^ 


1367 


\ 

BRi^F-^al^P^ 

■       % 

\  __ .__. 


1369 


IMPRESSIONS    or    ASSYiaAX,    BABVLOXIAX    AND    CYPEIAX    CYLINDERS. 


SOMMEKVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  32. 


.0 

Jr 

IMPRESSIONS    UF    li.\BYLO.NI  AN     CYLINDERS. 


SOMMEl;VII,LE     COI.I.KCTION. 


I-LATE 


IMPRESSIONS    OF    ASSYRIAN.     PERSIAN     AND    BABYr.ONIAN    CYLINDERS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  34. 


r 


IMPRESSIONS    OF    PERSI.4N,    HITTITE    AND    BABYLONIAN    CYLINDERS* 


SOMMKKVIl.I.K     ruI.I.ECTIOX. 


HU', 


IMI'i;K.-;SIOXS    OF     HITTITK     ANI>     BAHYLONIAN'    ('YLISDEK.- 


S(  IM  M  Kl;Vl  l,I,K     ( ■(  H.LKt^TK  )N. 


I'LATE  30. 


*/ 


''^^r    .       /-. 


J 


'9*^-,^ 


^ 


mm  -*i 


«s '  V, 


IK 


?-|.- 


IMI'RKSfilOX?    OF    A.SSYBIAN,    HITTITE    AXU     BAKYI.dNIAN    <;YLI.NDEI{S. 


SOMMKKVII.I.i;    lOLLKiTION. 


PLATE    37. 


1412 


IMPKESSIOXS    OF    PERSIAN    AXD    BABYLONIAN    CYLINDERS. 


SOMMEUVILI-E    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  SS. 


IMPRESSIONS     OF     ASSYRIAN"     ANI'     HAKYI.ONIAN     l  YITNUKKS 


SOM  MEKVI  r.LE    COLl.KCTION. 


I'LATE    ;«>. 


A.<t-VKIAN     SKAI,.-- 


soMMKKVII.l.K     ClIM.KrTION. 


501 


^^^jfTr^Miri 


PERSIAN     AND    SAPSAN'IAN    SF.AI^. 


tiOMMERVll.LE    COLLECTION 


l-LATE  4L 


1:{S0 


13S3 


■Sim 


PERSIAN    AND    SASSANTAN    SEALS. 


SOMMERVILI.E    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  42 


PERSIAN,    SASSAXIAN     AND    ASSYRIAN    SEALS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   43. 


SASSANIAN    SEALS    AND    INTAGLIOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


I'LATE  44. 


ENTRUSCAN    INTAGLIOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  15 


ETRUSCAN    TNTA(;L1<)S 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  46. 


WM  1 


.5.50 


PHOENICIAN    SCARABEI     AND    INTAULIOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  I". 


PHOENICIAN    SCARABEI    AND    INTAGLIOS. 


!<OMMERVILLfc:    COLI.ECTION 


ntil  obverse. 


■'tiU  reverse. 


^"L^- 


■VW  o>t  verse. 


568  reverse. 


0^j^m^ 


ABRAXAS    OK    GNOSTIC    GEMS. 


SOMMERVII.LE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  4'.l. 


143'2  obverse. 


m 


I-lo'2  reverse. 


M 


Iff 


563 


14;>4  nbverse. 


14:{4  reverse. 


ABR.\X.\^i    OK    GNOSTIC    OEMS. 


SOMMEKVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PIJVTE   M. 


074  oliVtirsc. 


3}^-fr 


iffln^,: 


5*V4  obverse. 


5fi4  reverse. 


573  reverse. 


ABRAXAS     OK     (iNOSTIC    GEMS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  5L 


BYZANTINE    CHRIST. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  52. 


593 


NIC.HT     OF     ART. 


SOMMEBVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  53. 


(iuy 


I 


RENAISSANCE— MEDICIS    PERIOD. 


;-O.MMEKVII,I.E     rOLLEI'TIDX. 


Hl.ATE    54. 


MO  obverse. 


CHIN'E.SE 


WMMERVII.LB    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  V,. 


CHINESE. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   nii. 


6(13 


AZTEC— MEXICAN. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTIOS. 


PLATE  57. 


AZTEC— MEXICAN. 


bOMMERVII.1  F    i(il  I  KCTION. 


PLATE  ^<. 


AZTEC— MEXIl  AN. 


i^OMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


I'l.ATK    r.9. 


itio  <ii»versf. 


!HvT  reverse. 


608  obverse. 


ti(ts  reverse. 


>IIS(!:i.I..\NE(ll'S    CA.MEO.S    ANTl     INT.^(;].U).<. 


SOMMEKVILI.F.     COLLECTION. 


PLATE  Wl. 


MISCELLAXEm'S    CAMEOS    AND     INTAiil.IOS. 


SOMMKKVII.I.E     ((lI.I.KITION. 


I'l.ATE  I'.l. 


MISCELLANEOUS    OKEEK     ANIi     lIiiMAN     CAMEOS. 


SO.MMEKVILI.E    I'DI.LECTIOX. 


MIJiCELI.AXKorS     «REEK     A.NIl     l;t).MA.\     CAMEOS. 


SOMMKKVII.I.K     rdl.l.KcTION. 


I'LATK    i;x. 


■ 


wMi^nFm' 


mMim^  m^-^^-i'^  • 


MISCELLAXEOIS    CAMEOS. 


SO.MMEKVILI.K    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  64. 


MISCELLANEOUS    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   B5 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK    AND    R05IAN    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  Wl. 


m 


f) 


ii'T^' 


'-  t 


'ti-1 


m 


8a!) 


lis 


miscellaneous;   hreek    and   Roman    intaglios 


SOMMEKVILLE     COLLECTION. 


MISCELLANEOUS    HKEEK     ANJi    KONL\N     INTACLIOS. 


SOMMEKVILI.E    fOLLF.CTION 


PLATE  68. 


jSJA 


'M' 


■  if 


W 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK     AND    ROMAN     INTAGLIOS. 


SOMMEKVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE    iV.l. 


«r.s 


U. 


MISCELLAXEOCS    CREEK    AXD    ROMAN    INTAGLIOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   70. 


»f^ 


P^-0' 

"^^i- 


MLSCELLANEOUS    GREEK    AND    ROMAN     INTAtiLIOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE    71. 


MISCELLANEOUS    GREEK     AND    ROMAN    TNTACLIOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLE<;TION. 


PLATE    72. 


MISCELLAXEOrS    IXTA<;LIO    RINGS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE    73. 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTAGLIO    KINGS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   74. 


MISCELL.^XEOrS     IXT.iCLIO    KINCS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLEOTION. 


PLATE    7S. 


MISCELLANEOUS    ISTAGUO     RINGS. 


.SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE    76. 


924 


9.51 


MIS('ELL.\NEOUS    IXTAGLIO    RINGS. 


SOMMERVIl-I.E     COLLFCTION. 


AN'TIQI'E    PASTES. 


-ilMMEKVII.LE    COLLECTION. 


I'LATK  78. 


ANTUil'E     PASTES. 


80MMERV1LLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   79. 


ANTIQUE    PASTES. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  80. 


.<O.MMi;i;VII.I.E    COLI-ECTION. 


I'l.ATE    SI. 


]2!H 


S(lMMKl;VII,I.E    (OILECTIOX. 


PI.ATK  S2. 


AMBERS. 


SOMMERVILI.E    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  83. 


l:!2.") 
Reduced  to  one-quarter  the  original  size. 


CAMEO    RING    AND    LARGE    ANTIQUE. 


SOiM.MERVII.I.K    COLLKCTION. 


PLATE  SJ. 


1327 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVII.LE    COLLECTION. 


[•LATE   85. 


HISTORICAL    C.\MEOS. 


POMMERVILLE    COLLECTION". 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS 


SOMMERVII.LE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  S7. 


Hls^TORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOM.MEKVII.LE    COLLECTION. 


FLATE  XS. 


133S 


HISTORICAL    CAMEftS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  8!l. 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


I'LATE   90. 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMKKVn.LE    COLLECTION. 


1*42 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVII.LE    CULLECTION. 


PLATE  il2. 


l:?4S 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS, 


SOMMERVIU.K    COLLEI TION 


PLATE  9S. 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVn>LE    COLLErTION. 


i:i47 


134S 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  95. 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  %. 


HISTORICAL    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   97. 


MIS(ELL.\N?:or.S    CAMEOS. 


SOMMKRVIM.E    cdl.I.WTION. 


PLATE  !«. 


1357 
Enlarged  four  tiraes. 


MISCELLAXEOVS    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  1)9. 


ML«CELLANEOUS    CAMEOS. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE  100. 


MISCELLANEOU.*    CAMEO.S. 


SOMMERVILI.E    COLLECTION. 


PLATE   101. 


REPRODrCTION    OF    THE     HAPSBURG    GEMS. 


POMMEKVII-LE    COLLECTION' 


REPRODUCTION     OF    THE    HAPPBrRCi    GEMS. 


SO.MMERVILI.E    COLLECTION. 


REPKODrCTION    IIF    THK     HAPSBIRIt    (iEMS 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


PLATE     1(M. 


1.1  II 
.\«'t!liil  size  I. 


.Ill'ITKH     .KOroiHl- 


JIPITER   yEGIOCHUS. 


The  engraving  on  Plate  104  represents  one  of  the  ten  important  and 
remarkable  antique  cameos  that  have  been  preserved  from  the  fir.-t  and 
second   centuries  a.  d. 

The  subject  of  this  cameo  is  Jupiter  ^-Egiochus :  it  is  engraved  on  a  ehrys- 
opnise  of  remarkaljle  dimensions,  being  1(57  millimeters  in  height  by  130 
millimeters  in  breadth.  It  is  of  the  close  of  the  epoch  of  Marcus  Aurelius  or 
the  earlier  years  of  the  reign  of  C'omniodus.  The  style  is  that  of  the  Grteeo- 
Roman  art.  The  work  is  very  beautiful  for  that  epoch,  and  there  rests  in 
this  head  of  the  master  of  the  gods  an  accent  of  grandeur  in  which  one  feels 
the  reflection  of  the  original  (ireek  of  the  better  centuries  imitated  here  by 
the  engraver  of  the  Roman  age. 

Wlu\t  gives  a  considerable  merit  to  the  cameo  here  rcproducrd  in  connec- 
tion with  its  size — which  is  extraordinary — is  the  extreme  rarity  of  the  repre- 
sentation wliicli  it  oHi'rs  us.  One  has  known  until  now^  iiut  two  monuments 
where  the  image  of  the  iiust  of  Jupiter  reunites  the  two  attrilmtcs,  ordinai-ily 
separated,  of  the  crown  of  oak-leaves  binding  the  hair  and  of  the  ^Egis — viz. 
the  famous  cameo  Zulian  found  in  Ephesus  and  preserved  in  tiie  Bibliotheque 
Saint  Marc  at  Venice,  and  the  other  cameo,  whose  origin  is  unknown,  and 
wliich  is  only  known  by  a  plaster  reproduction  by  Cades  (Improute  gemmarie, 
dame  I.  A,  Xo.  17).  On  the  last  stone  the  head  of  the  god  is  represented 
in  profile  turned  toward  the  left,  wjiile  on  the  cameo  Zulian  it  presents  full 
face,  as  in  this  Jupiter  ^Egiochus  ;  and  the  relationship  of  representations 
which  one  and  the  other  offers  is  singularly  close. 

On  the  monuments  of  art  the  crown  of  oak-leaves  is  the  exclusive  and 
characteristic  attribute  of  the  Dodonian  Zeus  of  Epirus,  and  when  one  finds 
it  binding  the  head  of  the  king  of  Olympus  on  the  moneys  of  other  countries, 
one  can  accept  it  as  a  certain  indication  of  affiliation  between  the  local  cult 
and  the  old  Pelasgic  religion  of  Dodona.  Such  is  the  case  of  the  Jupiter 
crowned  with  oak-leaves  which  the  Thessalians  have  represented  on  their 
medals,  and  also  of  Sagalassos  of  Pisidia. 

The  jEgis  does  not  appear  until  now  to  have  been  counted  among  the 
ordinary  attributes  of  Ju])iter  of  Dodona.  We  do  not  see  it  on  the  monu- 
ments which  belong  most  positively  to  his  worship.  ]Many  erudites  have 
therefore  thought  of  some  particular  and  local  form  of  Zeus  explaining  the 
representations  which  unite  the  crown  of  oak-leaves  to  the  Mg\s.  As  Vis- 
conti  has  remarked,  the  Homeric  poems  attribute  on  two  occasions  in  formal 
terms  the  crown  of  oak-leaves  to  Zeus  ^Egiochus  : 

Eiffav    I)—'   aiY'.iiyniit    J;oc   —£/ji/.a/./J:    crij^tu      ii; 

'  Iliml.,  E,  (i93.  »  UUul.  Z,  (iO. 

662® 


«62**  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

There  certainly  waf^  eiiough  in  tiiese  expressions  of  the  poet  Homer  to 
authorize  the  artist  to  reunite  in  the  figure  of  the  god  the  two  attributes  of 
the  crown  of  oak-leaves  and  the  -<Egis,  without  any  necessity  of  allusion  to  a 
particular  cult. 

It  is  an  interesting  circumstance,  which  merits  particular  attention,  that 
the  cameo  Zulian  coming  from  Ephesus  and  this  Jujjiter  ^Egiochus  are  cer- 
tainly of  the  workmanship  of  Asia  ^Minor. 

The  stone  is  maculated  in  a  peculiar  manner,  which  in  my  opinion  rather 
augments  the  interest  of  the  gem,  for  it  enables  us  to  locate  the  source  of  the 
chrysoprase.  This  Jupiter  Jigiochus  is  engraved  on  a  stone  of  two  strata, 
the  base  of  mellow  green  chrysoprase,  which  is  more  intense  in  color  at  the 
extreme  back.  The  features,  hair,  and  beard  are  on  a  thick  stratum  of  chal- 
cedony with  macuiations  in  several  places,  centrally  brown  or  dark-red  sur- 
rounded bv  a  green  zone ;  on  the  hair,  beard,  and  breast  other  spots  less 
markeil  are  of  the  hue  of  burnt  sienna.  There  are  brownish  ])atches  or  clouds 
on  the  surface  at  the  back  of  the  stone,  which  has  never  been  jwlished.  From 
these  macuiations  and  patches  or  chtuds  Dr.  Joseph  Lei<ly  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  expresses  the  opinion  that  this  stone  was  obtained  from  the 
heliotrope  locality  of  India — India  from  whose  mines  the  gem-engravers  of  the 
ancient  school  obtained  the  most  unique  minerals  on  which  to  elaborate  their 
grand  designs. 

The  jEgis,  which  is  here  thrown  over  the  left  shoulder,  is  formed,  like  the 
tortoise-shell,  in  overlapping  sections. 

Kai'lv  in  this  century  the  cameo  above  described  made  part  of  the  cele- 
brated Xorthwick  Collection  of  England  ;  afterward  it  was  acquired  by  a 
wealthy  connoisseur  in  France,  and  later  passed  into  the  possessi(m  of  M. 
Feuardent,  Paris,  when,  with  his  permission,  an  engraving  of  it  appeared,  with 
five  quarto  ])ages  of  text  an<l  notes,  in  the  (jitzelte  archio/nf/i(jue,  Paris,  1.S77, 
edited  by  Baron  J.  De  Witte,  Membre  de  ITnstitut,  and  Franfois  Lenormant. 
Profe.sseur  d'Areheologie  jires  la  Bibliotbwiue  Nationale.  That  descriptive 
and  argumentative  article  on  the  antique  gem  Jupiter  ^Egiochus  is  from  the 
pen  of  M.  Francois  Lenormant,  with  the  collaboration  of  ^I.  Adrien  Long- 
perier. 

M.  Adrien  Longperier,  the  distinguished  glyptologist  and  savant  of  the 
Institut  de  France,  some  thirty  years  ago  made  a  study  of  this  gem,  and 
seriously  contemplated  its  acquisition  for  France;  he  urged  the  Fi-ench 
Government  to  authorize  its  purchase  tor  the  collection  in  the  Salle  des 
Pierres  gravees  in  the  Bildiotheque  Nationale,  Paris,  or  for  the  Museum  of  the 
Louvre.  Several  other  museums  also  negotiated  for  its  purchase,  but.  the 
late  owner  being  firm  in  his  demand,  the  price  caused  them  to  delay,  and  now 
it   lielnugs  to  America,  being  part  of  my  collection. 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN  CAMEOS. 

CASE    A. 

1.  Sardimij.r — Pallas,  the   Greek   Jliiierva.      This  stoue   lias   suffered  from 

fire,  yet  is  still  beautiful. 

2.  iSardonp- — Phoebus   Guiding   the  Chariot  of  the   Sun.     Beautiful,   rare 

Oriental  stone. 

3.  A(/nte-Oiii/.i-—The  Ferryman  of  Christ,  8t.  Christopher.     The  legend  of 

our  Saviour  being  carried  over  the  water. 

4.  Sardonyx — Meleager  and  Atalanta  dancing. 

5.  Oriental  Jaxper — Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit ;  three  faces ;  Aljiha  and 

Omega.     The  attendant  angel's  wings  are  so  displayed  iu  lines  as  to 
form  A,  Alpha,  and  on   the  tiara   can  be  seen  fl.  Omega. 

6.  A/jaie-Oni/.r — Faustina  Senior. 

F.iiistina  Senior,  wile  uf  Antuninus  Pius  ami  .sister  of  .Elius  L'n'.sar — a  beaiilil'iil 
but  ))rl^Higate  wouuui.  Xotwithstautliug  the  irregularities  of  her  life,  her  liusliaud 
loaded  her  with  honors,  and  after  her  death  established,  in  commemoration  of  her, 
a  hospital  for  the  education  of  deserving  young  women. 

7.  Yfillow  Marble — The  Sacrifice  of  Isaac  by  Abraham. 

It  is  of  the  fourtli  century  .\.  ii.    The  gold  luounting  is  Merovingian,  of  the  sixth 
or  seventh  century  a.  h.     C)n  ii  can  lie  seen  .\brahani,  Isaac,  the  NiKE,  or  heavenly 
?,n  66.S 


664 


SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 


recognition  of  victory,  and  the  propitiatory  ram.  A  highly  interesting  and  unique 
piece,  being  in  the  style  of  work  I'oinid  on  sarcophagi  of  tliat  epoch.  In  May,  ISSl, 
I  exhibited  it  before  tlie  Acadeuiie  des  Inscriptions  de  I'lnstitiit  de  France,  wlien  a 
notice  in  tlie  official  jonrnal  of  France  gave  me  credit  for  having  found  it.  (.See  M. 
Edmond  Le  Blant's  address.  From  a  photograph  made  from  the  stone  by  Mr.  P. 
Diijardin,  Rue  Vavin,  Paris,  by  the  electric  light,  and  jiroduced  at  the  request  of 
Me.ssrs.  Ernest  Kenan  and  Edmond  Le  Blant  of  I'lnstitut  de  France.) 

The  remai-k.-<  on  the  opposite  page  (665)  were  made  before  tlie  Aead- 
emie  des  Inscriptions  de  ITnstitut  de  France  by  M.  Edmond  Le  Bhmt, 
ex-President,  on  the  27th  of"  May,  1881. 

The  note  on  page  666  is  an  autograph  second  notice  by  M.  Edmond 
Le  Blant,  on  the  gem,  "  The  Sacrifice  of  Isaac  by  Abraham." 


I  always  remember  the  pleasure  evinced  by  II  Commendatori  Giovanni 
Battista  de  Rossi  of  Rome  on  viewing  this  Christian  cameo  of  the  time 
of  Constantinc.  This  slight  record  of  his  services  faintly  expresses  my 
appreciation  of  the  privilege  of  occasionally  conversing  with,  and  con- 
sulting on  my  subject,  one  so  learned  and  genial. 


JOURNAL  OFFIdEL  DE  LA  REPUBLIQUE  FRANOAISB 

ACABEJflES  ET  CORPS  SIVAAIS 

acadMib  des  inscriptions 

XI  BSLLES-LGTTRES 


Siance  du  27  mai  188f. 


PRESIEENCE  DE  M.  PA\'ET  DE  COURTEIIXE 

M.  Edmoud  Le  Blant.  M,  Maxwell 
Sommerville,  de  Philadelphie,  me  charge 
de  presenter  un  voluma  intitule  :  Engra- 
ved gems;  their  place  in  the  history  of  arl. 
Le  livre  contieut  d'abard  un  interessanfc 
travail  sur  la  glyptique  des  anciens,  puis 
le  catalogue  illustr^  d'une  grande  et  belle 
coUectiou  de  cam^es,  d'intailles,  de  pdtes 
de  Terre  chri^tiens  et  paiens,  collection 
formge  par  I'auteur  lui-meme.  C'est  sur- 
tout  i  Rome,  et  ea  suivant  les  fouilles 
avec  perseverance,  que  M.  Sommervilla 
a  pu  r^unir  una  serie4mportante  de  ty- 
pes dont  plusieurs  feraient  rhonneur 
d'un.  grand  musee. 

A  cote  d'cEuvres  d'un  art  plus  parfait, 
on  me  permettra  de  signaler,  au  point  de 
vue  special  de  mes  etudes;  un  petit  cam^e 
da  marbre  figurant  la  moitie  d'une  noix 
et  sur  le  plan  duquel  sa  detache  la  scena 
da  sacrifice  d'Abraham,  ex^cutS  au  qua- 
trieme  siecle,  dans  nn  style  absolument 
identique  ii  celui  des  sarcophages  clirS- 
liens.  C'est,  pour  M.  Maxwell  Sommer- 
ville, une  vraie'conquete  que  d'avoirje- 
trouvd  cei  bbjet  unique,  vu  autrefois  par 
Boldetti,  qui  en.  avait'  donn§  una  copia 
tres-informe. 


■  The  series  referred  to  by  M.  Le  Blant  was  only  two  cases  of  my  collection,  containing 
sixteen  or  eighteen  stones. 

665 


Autograph    second   notice   on    the   gem,  "  The  Sacrifice  of  Isaac   hy 
Abraham." 


u  [K*.  n»«,  c»M^»i'^'^^  n>;it4,,m,  «a.->rve^^ 


666 


GREEK  AXI)    BOMAX    CAMEOS.  667 

8.  Maculated  Oriental  Ja.^per- Ac/ate — A  Greek  Musical  Mask,  with  flute. 

9.  Oni/j: — Minerva,  Roman,  with  a  mask  on  tlie  helmet. 

10.  Maculated  Sardorn/x — Greek,  double.      Obverse.  Hippocrates.      Eeverse, 

The  Serpent  on  a  Staff,  the  symbol  of  J>sculapius.  The  inscription  is 
innoKPATHi  AAPiliAinN  &n&  am,  wliere  AQa  is  abbreviated  for 
AnArjNAini:  '"Hippocrates  of  the  Larisseans  to  the  Dodonian  Zeus " 
(or  Jupiter). 

11.  Onyx — The  Sacrifice  (^della  Fecundita).     A  man  and  his  wife  making  a 

sacrifice  to  Priapus  that  they  may  have  an  offspring. 

2sotice  eight  objects  of  interest :  the  husband,  wile.  Priapus,  the  aUar,  the  fire,  the 
serpent,  the  tree,  and  the  liead  of  the  htscivious  ram.     The  serpent  is  the  genius  loci. 

CASE    B. 

12.  Oialcedony-Oiii/x — Venus  caressing  Ganymedes,  and  instructing  him  for 

the  high  destiny  to  which  ht:  was  calicil. 

The  beautiful  adolescent  holds  his  finger  to  his  lips,  a  symbol  of  timidity.  Zeus 
(Jupiter  I.  nearly  concealed  by  the  outspread  wings  of  his  eagle,  is  abnut  to  carry 
Ganymedes  oft'  from  earth,  not  being  himself  observed.  Ganymedes  has  a  hunter's 
cap,  which  he  carries  on  his  left  arm,  a  sign  of  his  Phrygian  origin ;  the  vase  at  his 
feet  is  a  symbol  of  the  functions  he  is  about  to  fulfil :   he  became  cupbearer  to  Zeus. 

13.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Plighted  Hands,  from  an  ancient  betrothal  ring. 

14.  Chulcedony — Homer. 

15.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Hadrian  and  Sabina.     See  Hadrian,  No.  21. 

Sabina.  wife  of  Hadrian  and  daagliler  of  Matidia,  a  good  empress.  She  was  en- 
rolled among  the  gods  after  her  decease.     \6y\  fine  cameo. 

16.  Chalcedony- On yx—Yoxmg  Geta,  brother  of  Caracalla,  twenty-fourth  Etn- 

peror  of  Rome. 

17.  Lapis  Z«3»//— Gordianus  Pius  III.,  thirty-tifth  Emperor  of  Rome,  \.  d. 

2.38-244. 
The  populace  esteemed  him  highly,  and,  though  but  fifteen  years  of  age,  of  fine 
form  and  appearance,  they  proclaimed  hira  emperor.     By  the  conspiracy  of  Philip 
the  Arabian,  who  sought  to  raise  himself  from  the  generalship,  he  was  assassinated. 

18.  Oialcedony-Onyx — Domitian,  eleventh  Emperor  of  Rome. 

19.  Turquoise — A  Mask. 

20.  Sardonyx — Hercules,  with  the  lion's  skin. 

21.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Hadrian,  fourteenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

The  first  Boman  emperor  who  wore  a  beard  :  he  let  it  grow  to  hide  the  marks 
from  smallpox. 

22.  Green  Jasper — 'Vespasian,  ninth  Emperor  of  Rome;  laureated  with  gold. 

23.  Agate-Onyx — Head  of  Jove. 


668  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

24.  Maculated  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Hercules.  Ob^orve  the  beautiful  colored  spots. 

25.  Sardonyx — The  Tambour-Player. 

26.  Sardonyx — Child's  Head  (Cinque-cento). 

27.  Janper-Agate — A  Scenic  Mask. 

28.  Cha!cfdony-Onyx — Heliogabalus,  or  Elagabalus,  twenty-eighth  Emperor 

of  Rome,  in  sacerdotal  costume. 

29.  Sardonyx — Claudius,  fourth  Emj)eror  of  Rome. 

30.  Chalcedony-Onyx — Drusus,  brother  of  Tiberius  and  father  of  Germanicus. 

31.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Pyrrhus,  King  of  Ei)irus. 

32.  Jasper — Dido,    Princess    of  Tyre    in    Phujnicia ;    she   afterward   founded 

Carthage. 

33.  Pale  Onyx — Caracalla  in  Youth. 

CASE    C. 

34.  Onyx — .ffisculapius  and  Telesphorus. 

jEsculapiiis  the  loved  physician  and  Telesphorus.  Telesphorus — tliat  is,  the  cora- 
pletiug — signifies  "convalescence,"  ''  the  genius  of  recovery."  A  companion  of  ^Escu- 
lapius,  a  hoy,  generally  represented  standing  heside  jEsculapius.  Telesplioriis  is 
clothed  in  an  extraordinary  garment :  it  is  a  mantle  that  covers  his  entire  hody  to 
the  knees,  inchiding  a  species  of  capuchin  protecting  the  iiead  ;  his  arms  do  not 
appear.  This  modest  hahit  of  the  god  of  convalescence  seems  to  infer  that  those 
who  are  recovering  from  an  illness  should  be  extremely  regular  in  their  lives  and 
should   keep  themselves  well  covered. 

Telesphorus  is  therefore  another  god  of  medicine,  properly  that  of  couvalescence ; 
he  was  greatly  lionored  at  Pergamos.  He  is  always  represented  as  a  youth,  and  in 
comparison  with  Hygeia  aud  ^Esculapius  he  seems  only  au  infant.  Telesphorus  is 
sometimes  represented  at  the  side  of  Hercules,  the  group  giving  the  god  of  force  witli 
that  of  convalescence  and  health.  Tiie  gilt  restoration  was  made  by  myself  after  an 
old  engraving  iu  a  Roman  collection. 

35.  Onyx — A  Moor. 

36.  Sardonyx — A  Philosopher. 

37.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Diana  in  a  Chariot. 

38.  Chalcedony-Onyx — Plautius  Hypsoeus  Decianus,  consul  and  colleague  of 

^milius  Mamcrciiius.  b.  c.  47-"i. 

39.  Onyx— A  Nubian. 

40.  Agate-Onyx — Socrates;  three  strata,  cut  in  the  third  century. 

41.  Green  Jasper — Cleopatra,  on  a  cuneiform  stone.    This  stone  has  been  used 

by  an  Oriental  worker  in  gold  ornaments  as  a  burnisher,  as  can  be  seen 
liy  e.xamining  closely  the  edges. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN  CAMEOS.  669 

It  is  related  tliat  when  Mark  Antony  gave  Cleopatra  a  snpper  on  one  of  liis  sliips, 
he  had  it  expensively  decorated  with  flowers  and  grapes,  lie  himself  heing  dressed  as 
Bacolins  and  the  shi])  illuminated.  A  sliort  time  after  Cleopatra  invited  Mark  An- 
tony to  eat  a  salad  with  her.  While  they  were  eating  it  she  said,  "This  .salad  cost 
more  than  all  your  decorations."  .She  had  worn  in  her  ears  a  pair  of  pearls  which 
were  unequalled  in  the  world  for  size  and  beauty.  One  of  these  she  had  taken  and 
dissolved  in  the  vinegar  with  which  she  had  dressed  the  salad. 

42.  Clialcedony—A  Figure  representing  a  Conquered  City;   also  people  in 

bondage. 

43.  Chalredoii  ij-  Onyx — Minerva. 

44.  Sardonyx— kvLgMsX-as    and   Livia,    the    emperor   caricatured   as   a   faun. 

Notice  the  ear  and  hair. 

45.  Sard — Infant  Bacchus  on  Horseback,  with  a  goat's  skin. 

46.  Chalcedony-Onyx — Julius  Csesar. 

47.  Agate-Onyx — Pallas. 

48.  Onyx — Three  Heads,  a  mitre  and  two  turbans. 

49.  Siberian  Jasper — Hercules. 

50.  Agate — Commodus,   eighteenth   Emperor  of  Rome,  son  of  the  Emperor 

Marcus  Aurelius. 

He  was  very  extravagant  and  cruel.  His  chief  delight  was  in  horses;  in  guiding 
and  managing  them  he  thought  himself  unrivalled.  He  believed  himself  the  equal 
of  Hercules  in  strength,  and  drove  about  the  streets  of  Rome  naked,  with  the  skiu  of 
a  lion  and  a  club,  causing  himself  to  be  called  the  Roman  Hercules.  He  had  also  a 
passionate  love  for  fighting  with  the  gladiators,  and  had  even  decided  to  exhibit  him- 
self in  a  public  combat  with  them  on  the  occasion  of  a  grand  spectacle  which  lie 
intended  one  dav  to  give  in  the  amphitheatre,  when  he  would  be  proclaimed  chief 
of  the  gladiators.  His  friend  Marcia,  who  was  iiiucli  attached  to  him,  and  to  whom 
he  confided  this  resolution,  disapproved  it,  and  made  him  reflect  how  indecorous  it 
would  be  and  wanting  in  dignity  for  a  Roman  emperor  to  expose  himself,  mixing  in 
public  with  the  dregs  of  the  people;  at  which  representation  he  was  extremely  indig- 
nant, and  drove  her  from  him  with  scorn,  determining  in  his  heart  to  take  her  life, 
together  with  that  of  several  senators,  whose  sentence  he  had  already  signed  upon  a 
tablet  of  prepareil  wax.  At  the  head  of  the  list  stood  the  lady's  name.  By  a  strange 
coincidence,  she  saw  the  list  in  the  hands  of  a  boy  who  was  playing  with  it  and  had 
found  it  in  the  bed  of  the  emperor.  8he  took  it  from  his  hands,  read  it,  and,  greatly 
terrified,  ran  with  it  to  the  senators  who  were  condemned  to  death  with  her.  With 
one  consent  they  agreed  to  kill  him.  She  told  them  that  the  habit  of  the  emperor 
was  to  go  every  morning  to  the  bath,  and  then  to  repose  a  while  in  his  bed,  where 
was  usually  carried  him  a  cup  of  wine,  after  which  he  slept.  They  then  resolved  to 
poison  this  wine.  Thus  it  was  done,  and  he  drank  it,  but,  by  a  strange  fatality,  after 
some  houi-s.  being  of  a  strong  temperament,  he  threw  it  off  his  stomach.  Then  all 
was  consternation  and  despair  among  the  conspirators,  exclaiming,  "  Now  we  are  dead 
men  !"  but  with  haste  they  callcil  Ateleta  Narcissus,  who  suffocated  the  emperor  with 
two  fingers  grasping  the  throat,  and  thus  liberated  Kome  from  one  of  her  most  bloody 
masters. 


fi70  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

51.  Chalcedoiiii-Oiiij.r — A  Divinity,  with  clevotfc-  iiiiplorini;-  his  jirotectioii.    A 

very  tine  ami  interesting  cameo. 

52.  Sunloni/.r — Masaniello. 

53.  A  r/af e—Tnara,  King  of  Troy. 

54.  Oin/x — Jupiter. 

CASE    D. 

55.  Sitrdoiii/.f — The  Three  Graces.     Fragment  of  an  antique  cameo,  of  the 

second  century  a.  d. 

56.  Canicliiiii — Fragment  of  a  Inist  of  Neptune,  found  in  tlie  Tilier. 

57.  Iceland  Jaxpcr — Nude   Figure  of  a  Woman  Drinking.     \'ery   curious 

cameo.     (See  anotlier,  No.  608,  Case  JJ.) 

58.  0////.r— Hercules. 

5i).  Mtciihifal  Ariittc-Oiiij.r — Nymph  sleeping,  Satyr,  and   Amor   or   Cupid. 
Vase  and  shruhl)ery  fine  t'xamplc  <if  utilization  of  tiie  niacuiated  stime. 

60.  Siinloiiij.i- — Xenocrates,  tlic  Greek  j)hihisopher, '•  tlie  man  of  true  benev- 

olence."    A  very  fine  cameo. 

61.  Oiiij.i- — Antique  ))ortrait  of  Alexander  Severus.  twenty-ninth  Emperor  of 

Koine. 

(12.    (JiKirtz — A  curioiis  pehlile  with  Hue  cameo  portrait  of  Agrippina,  tiiurth 
wife  of  Claudius. 

6o.  Ui'd  Jdxj/rr — Athene,  with  alibreviated  Greek  inscription  (ui  the  obverse, 
also  (in   the  reverse. 

Obverse-  On  the  lieliiK't    AO[HXn]. 


liQ/EEifTOrsiEri 


( )ln-erse.  lievurse. 

Legeiul    about    the   liead ;     2M[TPXH]    4'U[K.iI.A]     .\EB[EJ02]     K.\[APOi:] 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  671 

EP[ETPIA]  .\AA[Ki:]  TE[Oi:]  .MT[KAA1I]  KnA[04'S2X]  E*[E20S]  nPI[HXH] 
MTOX[Mli:Oi:j  MIA[HTOi:]— Smyrna.  Plioc*a,  Lebetlos,  Klaros.  Eretria,  Chalcis, 
Tens,  Mycale,  Coloplicm,  Kpliesus,  I'riene.  Mvonnesiis,  Miletus. 

Reverse:  AQP[OX]  |  EKTOY  AH.M[02I]0T  |  TAX  IQNIKQN  |  nOAE[QX]  EIS 
TOXEN]  AEBEA[ni]  XAOX  TOT  ]  KAAP[IXOT]  AOOA  |  AQXOS— Gift  fniin  llie 
league  of  tlie  Ionian  cities  to  the  shrine  of  the  Clarean  ,\pollo  in  Lebedos. 

64.   Chaketloinj — Odenathus,  and  Zenobia  Queen  of  Palmyra. 

6").   Chalcedony- Onyx — Personification  of  the  conquered  Province  of  Dacia. 

CASE    E. 

66.   Thill  Mdcnkited  Red  Ar/ati — The  goat  Amalthea,  one  of  whose  horns  Zeus 
afterward  irave  to  the  thuiL'hters  of  Melisseus. 

6".  <SV(/v/ — Incognito. 

68.  Carndliiii  Oinj.r — Incognito. 

69.  ChalcedijiDj—Vavt  of  an  Antique  Betrothal  Amulet,  or  cylinder  (Maui  in 

Ffdt;  or  Hand-in-hand ). 

7(1.  Malachite — Diana  in  a  Biga. 

71.  Onyx — A  Priestess  in  Sacerdotal  Robes. 

72.  Chalcedony-Ony.c — Tranquillina,  wife  of  Gordianus  Pius  III. 

73.  Tcneni — A  Faun. 

74.  Agate-Ony.v — Incognito. 

7-j.  A'jnte — Drusus,  brother  of  Tiberius. 

76.  Pale  Oiijj.r — Hertha.  the  goddess  of  the  Earth. 

77.  Sardonyx — Sappho,  the  Greek  poetess,  one  of  the  two  great  leaders  of  the 

^olian  school. 

78.  Carnelinn  Onyx — Young    Germanicus,   son    of   Nero   Claudius   Drusus, 

B.  c.  15 

79.  Pale  Sardonyx — A  Faun, 

80.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Geta, 

81.  Green  Jasper — A  Bacchanal, 

82.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Julia,  daughter  of  Titus. 

Julia,  daughter  of  Titus  by  an  Oriental  woman,  Berenice,  with  whom  Titus 
lived  when  making  war  in  Judea.  This  Berenice  is  the  woman  mentioned  several 
times  in  Acts  xxv.  and  xxvi. 

83.  Chalcedony — Medusa  (Cin(|ue-cento). 

84.  Onyx — Nerva,  twelfth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  96-98.     Fine  cameo. 


672  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

He  was  sixty-three  years  old  at  tlie  time  of  liis  becoming  emperor,  anil  lacked 
the  energy  needed  for  the  times.  He  was  a  good  man  and  a  patriot,  and,  witlioiit 
regard  to  his  own  kin,  took  measures  to  secure  the  succession  to  Trajan,  then  at  the 
liead  of  tlie  array  in  Germany. 

85.  Onyx — An  Ecclesiastic  of  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

80.  At/ati'-Ony.c — Socrates,  the  Atheuiuu  iihilusopher,  B.  c.  469. 

87.  Onij.i- — A  Vestal. 

88.  Chalce(Jo)iy-Oiiijx — Zeno,  founder  of  the  Stoic  philosophy. 

89.  Clialcedony-Oiiyx — Alexander  Severus,  twenty-ninth   Emperor  of  Rome, 

A.  D.  222-235,  pi-ochiimed   emperor   tliroiigh    the    infiueuee   of   Julia 

Mi&sa. 

He  bnilt  tlie  Circus  Agonale,  which  was  where  now  is  the  Piazza  Xavona;  Iiere 
the  marine  and  naval  forces  held  their  exercises  in  boats  adapted  to  the  depth  of 
water.  Tlicre  were  places  for  the  spectators,  as  in  the  Colosseum.  Severus  noticed, 
in  the  combats  of  the  gladiators  in  the  Colo-^^senm,  that  one  of  the  soldiers,  a  Goth, 
by  name  Maximinus,  was  more  robust  than  the  others  and  conquered  in  the  contests. 
He  advanced  him  and  made  him  a  general,  and  when  Maximinus  found  his  power 
so  great  he  rewarded  Alexander  Severus  by  assassinating  him  and  his  mother,  Julia 
Manuca. 

90.  Chii/tr<loiii/-Oinjx — Trajan,  thirteenth  Emperor  of  Rome,  A.  D.  98-117. 

One  of  the  greatest  and  best  of  the  Kojuan  emperors.  He  was  a  man  of  majes- 
tic appearance.  He  conquered  the  Dacians  and  Partliians,  and  descended  the  Tigris 
to  the  Persian  Gulf.  The  Column  of  Trajan  at  Kome  contains  sculptures  represent- 
ing his  Dacian  exploits.  At  the  triumph  accorded  to  him  lie  exhibited  games  for 
one  hundred  and  twenty-three  days.  In  these  games  eleven  thousand  animals  and 
ten  thousand  gladiators  slaughtered  each  other  for  the  amu.sement  of  the  Roman  pop- 
ulace. Trajan  built  several  of  the  great  Roman  roads,  also  the  Forum  Trajanum  in 
Rome,  in  which  stood  the  Column  of  Trajan.  Several  distinguished  writers  liveil  in 
his  reign — Tacitus,  Pliny  the  Younger,  Plutarcli,  Suetonius,  and  Kpictctus. 

91.  Onyx — Isis,  the  Egyptian  divinity.     Siiined  Tkkesa  Tai.axi  F. 

92.  Onyx — Heliogabalus,  twenty-eighth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  218-222. 

He  was  proclaimed  emperor  by  the  influence  of  Julia  Mu'sa  ami  ilie  old  Car- 
acalla  party.  He  was  born  in  the  Orient.  When  a  child  he  was  dedicated  as  gran<l 
liigh  priest  of  the  Sun,  and  when  proclaimed  emperor  he  brought  to  Rome  the  deity 
Eliogabalo  and  commenced  the  functions  aixl  worship. 

CASE  F. 

93.  Eijypthtn  Jaxjirr — Caracalla,  twenty-fourth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

94.  Mdfachitc — A  Cretan  Nymph  leading  the  goat  Amalthea  to  tlie  altar  of 

Jupiter. 

According  to  .some  traditions,  Amalthea  is  the  goat  which  suckled  Zeus  (Jupiter). 
The  legend  is  that  Zeus  broke  off  one  of  the  horns  of  the  goat  .\maltheii,  and  gave  it 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  673 

to  the  d;uis;litei-s  of  Mellsseiis,  ami  endowed  it  with  tlie  wonderl'iil  power  ol"  becom- 
ing filled  with  whatever  the  possessor  uiight  wish.  This  is  the  origin  of  the  horn 
of  plenty  or  eorniicopia. 

95.  C7if(/fr(/o/(_(/-0/(//.c— Sappho,  the  Greek  poote.-^s,  a  native  of  Mityleiie. 

96.  Aqate — Hannibal,  the  Carthaginian  general.     The  .shield  is  (iruanieiited 

with  a  horse,  the  symbol  of  Carthage. 

97.  Chnhrdoini—Heai  of  Ceres,  goddess  of  the  Earth. 

98.  SanloDij.r — Incognito. 

99.  Sard — Claudius,  fourth  I-]niperor  of  Rome.     Very  fine. 

100.  Pii/e  Siirdoiii/x — Julia  Paula,  wife  of  Heliogabalus. 

101.  Sard— A  Scenic  Mask.     An  antique  of  tlie  first  century. 

102.  Af/ate — Bust  of  the  Empress  Maria  Theresa  of  Austria.   A  modern  cameo. 

cut  during  lier  life. 
10?).  Snrdoinjx — Chloris,  wife  of  Zcjihyrus,  goddess  of  Flowers. 

104.  Oinj.c — Tiberius,  secoixl  Emperor  of  Rome. 

105.  O/ii/.c — Caracalla,  twenty-fourth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

10<}.  <S((/(^)////,c— Balbinus,  tliirty-fourth  Emperor  of  Rome,  A.  d.  238. 

Proelainicil  emperor  by  the  combined  legions,  and  was  associated  with  Pnpienns, 
and  remained  in  Kome  to  protect  the  seat  of  the  Empire  while  Piiiiienns  went  to  w^ar. 
He  was  assassinated  by  the  discontented  guards. 

107.  Sm-doiujx — .ffilius  Caesar,  tidoptcd  by  the  Emperor  Hadrian,  who  allowed 

him  to  ttike  tlie  title  of  C'tesar. 

108.  Pale  Sardo)iij.c— Julia.,  daugliter  of  Augustus  and  wife  of  Marcus  Agrippa. 

CASE    G. 

109.  Orieiddl  Simloin/.r—lhe  Emperor  Trajan,  with  Victory  driving  him  in  a 

ipiadriga. 

Notice  the  horses.     A  valual)Ie  and  beantifnl  antique  cameo. 

110.  Oiii/.i- — Lysimachus. 

111.  Chalcedony-  Oiiy.v—Yenus. 

112.  Yclloiv  J«.s^)pr- 0/).'/.i-— Cleopatra,  with  the  Asp. 

113.  Alabmtcr — A  Cameo.     Too  worn  for  recognition. 

Found  in  the  Tiber.  Once  the  property  of  Marshal  Bliicher,  as  evidenced  by 
the  certificate  held  by  the  collector. 

114.  Chalcedoinj-  On  ifx—tleTCules  with  his  Club. 

115.  Sardonyx — Petrarch's  Laura. 


074  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

"Like  tlie  love  ofAbehinl  and  Ilelnise,  tlie  Inve  cif  Petnnvli  t'oi-  Laura  lias  been 
tlie  fonnilalion  of  that  immortality  which  their  memorv  enjoys.  In  no  other  respect, 
however,  were  the  two  ca.ses  alike,  for  the  love  of  Petrarch  wa.s  free  from  every  trace 
of  that  carnalism  wliich  tainted  tlie  aflections  of  Abclard  and  Heloise.'' 

110.   Clidlci'donii-Oinjx — Livia,  wife  of  Augustus. 

Remark  the  pale-green  color  of  the  garment  covering  the  head. 

117.  Miinilfdi'd  A;/iit( — Caius  Gracchus.     Ivai-e  stone. 

118.  Surdoinj.i: — Marciana  Augusta,  sister  of  Tiajitii  ami  mother  of  Matiilia. 
llil.  Sitnloiii/.f — Cicero. 

12ft.   Cm-'il — Jupiter  Serapis. 

121.  Oiii/.r — An  Oriental  Female.     A  fuU-leiigtli  nude  fiirure. 

Notice  the  natural  liesh  color  of  the  stratum  in  which  the  tigiu'e  is  cut. 

122.  Pale  Sarduiii/x—As^SLsiB,  and  Pericles. 

CASE    H. 

123.  Oiii/.f — Hadrian,  fourteenth   Einperor  of  Rome.     Fragment  of  a  grand 

anti'jiie  cameo. 

124.  Oiii/.r — Double  cameo,  Egyptian.     A  jeweled  Sittah  on  the  obverse,  and 

the  Lotus-plant  on  the  rever.se. 

12.5.  Sardonyx — Diogenes  the  Cynic  in  his  tub. 

Ale.\ander  the  Great,  it  is  related,  said  to  him,  "I  am  Alexander  the  Great,"  to 
wliich  the  cynic  replied,  "  I  am  Diogenes  the  Cynic."  Alexander  then  asked  whether 
he  could  oblige  him  in  any  way,  and  received  ior  answer,  "Yes,  you  can  stand  ont  of 
the  sunshine."  He  wore  coarse  clothing,  always  had  his  baton,  lived  on  very  simple 
food,  and  argued  that  man  needed  no  luxuries  to  be  truly  happy. 

120.    Chulcedoiiy-Onijx — Urania,  one  of  the  Nine  Muses — Astronomy. 

127.  Affide-Onyx — Jupiter,  Juno  with  her  Peacock,  and  Minerva,  (iiainl 
antique  cameo. 

The  (Jreek  inscription  is  cnrions.  being  in  relief;  T.  r.WKEPOTEPQX  |  GES2X  — 
"Of  the  Sweeter  Deities"  (T.  probably  for  TL'Xi. 

This  cameo  is  typical  of  the  recognized  religion  whose  earthly  enthronement 
was  upon  the  Kvantiue  and  the  Capitoline  hills.  There  are  (counting  the  attendant 
birds)  six  figures  on  the  gem;  they  are  before  the  portico  of  the  temple  liuilt  by  Tar- 
ijuinius  on  the  Capitoline  Hill.  Jupiter,  King  of  heaven,  protector  of  man — in  fact, 
their  heavenly  Father — is  represented  seated,  thunderbolt  in  hand,  symbolic  of  his 
power  to  command  thunder  and  lightning  and  bring  them  from  the  lieavens  at  his 
will,  lie  wa.s  also  regarded  as  the  protector  of  both  the  internal  and  the  foreign 
diplomaiy  of  the  stale.  Above  his  head  the  eagle,  an  impersonation  of  himself.  All 
birds  were  said  to  fly  upon  his  errands. 

On  the  left  of  the  portico  stands  Jiino.  Queen  of  hi-aven  and  patroness  of  women  ; 
she  is  attended  by  her  favorite  peacock.     The  conjugal  relation  of  Juno  to  Jupiter  is 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  675 

indicated  in  this  cameo,  where  she  stands  on  the  right,  liv  her  hand  resting  on  Jupi- 
ter's shoulder.  Wliile  her  husband  governed  more  partictihirly  tlie  aH'airs  of  men 
and  of  state,  Juno  presided  especially  over  tlie  domestic  allliirs  of  the  houscliold,  in 
which  naturally  women  were  occupied. 

On  the  right  of  Jupiter  stands  his  daughter  Minerva,  the  third  of  llic  ('a|iitoline 
divinities,  attended  by  lier  symbolic  bird,  the  owl,  her  messenger  by  night,  who  with 
visage  almost  human  looks  wisely  on  the  world.  Minerva  is  represented  with  liel- 
niet  and  shield,  because  she  protected  the  military  forces  and  was  lielieved  to  send 
victory  to  those  who  sought  her  aright,  and  appointed  ffte-days  for  aged  laborers 
and  children.  Not  least  among  the  blessings  of  her  earthly  mission  were  the  hours 
of  rest  and  diversion  enjoyed  by  weary  women,  and  by  children  freed  on  tliese  occa- 
sions from  all  scholastic  penalties. 

The  partly-obliterated  Greek  inscription  announces  them  to  be  "the  Sweet 
Loved  Principal  Gods."  The  ornamented  cornice  about  the  contour  is  characteristic 
of  the  gem-engraving  of  the  age.     Tlie  cameo  is  Grseco-Roman. 

12S.   Chalcedony — An  Amulet  or  Talisman  cameo  {Aimdeto  delta  Fecuiidlta  e 
Propagaziotie). 

The  symbol  used  is  an  "aringa,"  a  fish  ihnl  in  Italy  deposits  from  thirty  to  forty 
thousand  eggs  annually. 

129.   Chnlcedony-Oiii/.i—Snlla,  the  Dictator,  b.  c.  138. 

loO.  Cli(dt'edoni/-Oiiij.v — Beautiful  cameo  of  the  sixteenth  century.  Pyrrhns  in 
the  guise  of  Cupid  detaining  lii.-^  father,  Achilles,  \vh<i  lias  been  called 
to  the  Trojan  war. 

The  otlier  figures  are  Deidameia,  the  mother  of  I'yrrhns,  and  her  sisters,  the 
daughters  of  Lycomedes,  King  of  (he  Dolopians.  Pyrrlius  was  al.so  called  Neoptol- 
emus.     The  cameo  has  been  broken  and  parlialJy  restored. 

."^ee  rude  cameo  in  turquoise,  No.  330. 

131.  A(/atc — Septimius  Severus,  twenty-third  Emperor  of  Rome. 


CASE    I. 

132.  Alabaster — A  Persian  Shah. 

133.  Onyx — Cupid  Guiding  a  Biga. 

134.  Sardonyx — Plato,  the  comic  Athenian  jioet,  B.  v.  429-348. 

135.  Aif ate- Onyx — Livia,  widow  of  Augu.«tus. 

136.  Agate — An  Intaglio,  lioughtof  Mirza  Petro.s  Khan,  Persian  commissioner 

to  Vienna  Exhibition,  1873. 

137.  Onyx — A  Greek  cameo.     Dajankee  (also  known  as  Daiokes  or  Deiokas), 

a  Persian  prince  seven   centuries  b.  c.     He  was  the   founder  of  the 
empire. 

138.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Cicero. 


676 


SOMMERVILLE  COLLECTION. 


139.  Agate — Hercules. 

140.  Onyx — Chimera.     Vitv  fine. 

141.  Amethijd — A  Scenic  Mask.     AnticiiR',  of  the  earlier^t  Roman  period. 

142.  Agaie-Oiuj.c — Attalus,  King  of  Pergamos,  b.  c.  241-197. 

A  patron  of  literature  ami  the  arts. 

14o.  Agate  Otujx — Augustus,  first  Emperor  of  Rome,  b.  c.  63-a.  n.  14. 

After  the  assassination  of  his  uncle,  Jnlius  C'ssar,  he  united  m  illi  Antony  and 
Lepidus  to  overthrow  the  conspirators  and  to  form  a  second  triumvirate  over  the 
whole  Roman  world.  Augustus  managed  to  rid  himself  successively  of  Antony  and 
Lepidus,  and  thenceforth  reignetl  supreme.  His  reign  was  long  and  prosperous,  and 
was  distinguished  by  its  patronage  of  arts  and  letters. 

144.  Sardonyx — A  Bacchante  crowned,  witli  a  mask. 

I  A').  Agate — Hercules. 

146.  Carnellan — Intaglio.     Antique,  bought  of  ]\Iirza  Petros  Khan,  Persian 

commissioner  to  the  Vienna  JDxhibition,  1873. 

147.  Carnelian — Cincinnatus  preparing  to  Take  the  Field. 
14.S.  Onyx — Livia. 

CASE    J. 

149.  Egyptian  Jntiper — A  Castellated  Head,  representing  on  tlie  oljverse  the 
head  of  C'ybele. 


It  is  surrounded  hy  an  in.^cription  giving  the  names  of  cities  in  the  Ionian  Con- 
federacy, as  follows:   i:.MTP[XA]   *fl[K.\I.\]   KA[AP02]    i:p[ETPIA]    XA[AKIi:] 


GREEK  AND  HUMAN  CAMEOS. 


677 


TE[Oi:]     MT[KAAn]     AE[BEAOi:]     K0A[(1<M2N]     E*[E20S]     nP[inNH]     MTON 
[SIISOS]   MIA[HTOi:]— Smyrna,   Phoca-a,   Klaros.   Eretria,  Chalcis,  Teos,  Mycale, 
Lebedos,  Colophon,  Ephesiis,  Priene,  Myonnesus,  Miletus. 
The  inscription  on  the  reverse  is  in  alibreviated  Oreek : 


y 


^-T^ii^i^. 


mNfcnpAr 


The  inscription  in  full  would  read  as  follows:  AiiP[ON]  |  EK  TOT  AHM[OSIOT] 
TDN  I  U2XIK[i2N]  riOAE[S2X]  EIS  |  TON  EN  lMTPX[ni]  |  XAOX  TOT  \  OMHP 
[lOT] — Gift  from  the  league  of  the  Ionian  cities  to  the  Temple  of  the  Homerion  in 
Smyrna. 

The  above  rendering  and  ex|)lanatiou  is  from  my  friend,  Dr.  Isaac  II.  Hall, 
Curator  of  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New  York,  and,  although  it  diflers 
slightlv  from  my  own,  I  give  it  the  preference,  and  express  many  thanks  to  that 
scholar  for  his  aid. 

150.  Ef/iipfian  Ja.-'pcr — Represents  Antoninus  Pius  and  his  Genius  supplicating 

the  deitv  Sperauza  on  the  inauguration  of  a  military  expedition.     ]\Ii- 
nerva  on  tlie  right. 
See  also  Xo.  51,  Case  C,  a  smaller  gem — very  similar,  though  a  pliiloso|iher 
occupies  the  place  of  Minerva. 

151.  Pale  Sardoni/x — Homer,  with  inscription. 

This  stone  has  eleven  strata,  the  two  most  remarkable  being  those  the  color  ot 
the  yelk  of  an  egg.  I  obtained  this  through  Marselli  from  a  Turk  who  during  the 
late  war  found  it  in  the  palace  of  Abdul  Assiz,  who  conniiitted  suicide. 

152.  Sardoiiy.r — Septimius  Severus,  twenty-third  Em2)eror  of  Rome,  a.  d.  146- 

211. 

Though  proverbially  severe,  as  his  name  indicates,  he  was  one  of  tlie  greatest 
of  the  Roman  emperors,  and  held  important  military  commands  under  the  emperors 
Marcus  Aurelius  and  Commodus,  and  at  the  deatli  of  Pertiua.\,  A.  D.  193.  became 
emperor.     He  commanded  at  the  siege  of  Byzantium,  and  is  noted  for  the  terrible 


678  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

severity  witli  wliicli  he  punished  that  city  for  its  prolonged  resistance.  He  made 
brilliant  conquests  in  the  East— Selencia,  Babylonia,  Armenia,  Palestine,  and  Egypt. 
He  also  attacked  the  Caledonians  in  liritain,  and  bnilt  the  faiiions  Roman  wall 
across  the  northern  part  of  the  island.  He  die<l  at  York,  poisoned  by  his  two  sons, 
C'arar;illa  and  tJeta. 

15.3.   Onyx — Marcus  Aurelius,  sixteenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

An  allocntion  of  Marcus  Anrelins  before  the  Praetorian  Guard  :  tlieir  banners  are 
inscribed  S.  C.  (Sennlnx  Consulliim).  Very  fine  and  interesting  cameo.  A  basso-rilievo 
having  much  resemblance  to  this  can  still  be  seen  on  the  ancient  Arch  of  Constantine 
at  Rome. 

154.  Chalcedoiuj- Oni/.r — Socrates. 

155.  Ch(ifcf'fh))iii-Oi)i/.r — Hercules  and  Deianira. 

Tlie  subject  of  this  cameo  remained  in  doubt  to  me  for  a  long  lime,  on  account 
of  the  child  in  the  oak  tree. 

156.  Onyx — Hebe,  pourinj;  out  the  ambrosial  draught  to  Hercules. 

157.  CIi'ilcnloin/-()jii/x—T:h.e  Grief  of  Achilles  at  the  Death  of  his  friend  Pa- 

troclus.     A  (ireek  cameo. 


CASE    K. 

All  the  sulijects  in  this  case  are  of  the  animal  kingdom.     (See  "  Animals 
and  Birds,"  page  115.^) 

158.  Amethijdine  Quarts — A  Stag  Reposing.     A  similar  one  is  in  the  Musee  de 

Cluny,  Pari.s. 

159.  Onyx — An  Eagle. 

160.  Sardonyx — An  Eagle. 

161.  Jasper-Onyx — A  Lion  Devouring  a  Horse.     Fine  stone. 

162.  Sard — Langoaste,   a  shell-fish   of   the  Mediterranean  Sea,   resembling  a 

lobster. 

163.  White  .4^0/^— Ostrich. 

164.  Sardunyx~A  Lion. 

165.  Chalceduny-Onyx — A  Horse. 

The  Greeks  adored  and  carried  gems  representing  a  horse,  in  memory  of  the 
stratagem  practised  by  Ulysses  at  the  siege  of  Troy,  when  he  caused  a  wooden  liorse 
to  be  made  in  wliicb  he  and  arms  were  transported  by  night  into  the  city  of  Troy. 

166.  Onyx — A  Dog. 

167.  Onyx — A  Dog. 

168.  Onyx — A  Dog  Reposing. 

Kii).   0)1'/.)- — A  Lioness.     Beautiful  utilization  of  color  of  the  stone. 


GREEK  AND  ROM  AX   CAMEOS.  679 

170.  Onyx — Wild  Boars,  the  animals  which  first  taught  man  to  plough  the 

earth. 

171.  Pale  ScmJ— K'QviW. 

172.  Green  Jasper — A  Horse.     IiitaL'lio. 

178.  Pale  Sardonyx — A  Cock,  svinhul  uf  vigilance,  as  it  announces  the  coming 
day. 

1732.  Chitlcedony-Oityx — A  Lion  (Cinque-centu). 

174.  Carnelian — A  Horse's  Head. 

175.  Sard — A  Monkey's  Head. 

176.  Alabaster — A  Lion's  Head,  with  a  red  tongue. 

177.  Omjx — Two  Domestic  Cats. 

178.  Agate — A  Stag  (Cinque-cento). 

1711.  Sard — Fine  Antique  Cameo  of  an  Animal. 

The  introduction  of  sculptured  anin]als  upon  stones  of  Konian  rings  was  derived 
from  tlie  Egvjnians. 

180.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Two  Camels  (Cinque-ceuto) 

CASE    L. 

181.  Maculated  Sardonyx — The  Goddess  Canobus,  tlie  divine  source  in  nature 

of  humidity.     Grand  cameo. 

The  Egyptians  represented  lier  with  a  human  liead  surmounting  a  vase  of  water: 
she  was  considered  the  enemy  of  fire,  and  was  adored  by  the  tliirsty  and  weary.  Tra- 
dition states  that  the  priests  of  Cauobus,  to  prove  lier  potency,  announced  that  she 
could  destroy  fire,  and  made  a  large  image  iu  terra-eotta  filled  with  water:  in  the 
base  of  the  image-vase  were  secreted  holes  which  were  cunningly  stopped  with  wax, 
so  that  until  the  miracle  was  exhibited  no  water  was  visible.  A  fire  of  quick-burn- 
ing wood  was  then  kindled,  and  the  deity  Canobus  was  held  or  set  closely  on  the  fire : 
the  wax  melted,  and  naturally  the  water  extinguished  the  tire,  and  victorious  Can- 
obus, as  she  was  proclaimed,  was  adored  as  the  greater  power,  having  conquered  the 
fire.  In  the  Bibliotheque  Xationale  at  Paris  there  is  a  large  vase  of  this  deity  in  a 
beautiful  state  of  preservation ;  als(]  several  in  the  British  Museum. 

182.  Oriental  Sardonyx — Claudius,  fourth  Emperor  of  Eome. 

Tliis  cameo  was  cut  iu  tlie  first  century,  in  the  epoch  of  Claudius.  I  believe  this 
to  have  been  cut  by  fragments  of  corundum. 

183.  Sardonyx — Mercury.     Curious  red  spot.s. 

184.  Agate — 'Valerianus  Senior,  forty-fciuith  Emperor  of  Rome,  .\.  d.  244. 

An  able  man,  proclaimed  emperor  by  ilie  ."^enate  and  the  army.     A  great  per- 
secutor of  the  Christians.     Made  >var  against  iSapor,  King  of  Persia.     The  Romans 
had  conquered  the  Persians  when  Sapor  asked  for  an  armistice  and  that  \'alerianus 
31 


680  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

should  come  witli  liis  generals  and  arrange  the  terms  of  peace.  lie  then  ent-inlcd 
them  with  a  powerful  force,  and  liekl  \'alei'ianus  ten  years  a  prisoner,  and  made  liim 
dailv  kneel  down  while  he  mounted  his  horse.  Valerianus  died  of  chagrin.  Then 
Sapor  flayed  Valerianus  and  jirepared  and  stufled  his  skin,  and  put  it  in  the  palace 
as  a  souvenir  of  a  Konian  emperor  prisoner. 

185.  Onyx — Marcus  Aurelius,  sixteenth  Emperor  of  Kome. 

With  Lucius  \'eriis  was  appointed  the  successor  of  Antoninus  Pins.  He  was  a 
Stoic  and  a  philosopher.  He  made  war  in  Germany  and  in  the  East,  and  sent  out 
his  associate,  Lucius  Verus,  to  Armenia,  where  Lucius  Verus  died  of  apoplexy. 
From  this  time  ^L1rcus  Aurelins  remained  sole  emperor — about  eight  years. 

186.  Agutc — Lucius  Junius  Brutus. 

187.  Chalcedony — ^Plato,  the  Greek  philosopher  and  poet.    Two  butterfly  wings, 

emblematic  of  the  beauty  and  gayety  of  his  verses. 

188.  Onyx — Chimera,  four  heads. 

189.  0«(/.e— Dante. 

190.  Af/ate — Incognito  (Cinque-cento). 

191.  Pale  0»  (/.(•— Pallas. 
19ii.  Pale  Onyx — Maecenas. 

193.  Jacinth — Ptolemy  XII.,  King  of  Egypt.     A  rare  stone. 

By  the  will  of  his  father,  Ptolemy  Auletes,  who  died  B.  c.  51,  Ptolemy  and  his 
sister,  the  brilliant  and  fascinating  Cleopatra,  were  married  and  made  joint  occupants 
of  the  throne.  The  brother  died  B.  c.  47,  and  Cleopatra  was  left  alone  to  practise 
her  charms,  first  on  Cicsar,  and  then  on  Antony. 

194.  Onyx — Matidia,  niece  of  Trajan. 

195.  Lapis  Lazidi — Oriental  King.     Crown  surmounting  turlian. 

196.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Virgil,  the  Latin  poet. 

197.  Sardonyx — Augustus,  first  Emperor  of  Rome,  and  Livia,  his  wife. 

Livia,  wife  of  Augustus  and  empress,  a  very  able  and  ambitions  woman,  beau- 
tiful and  beloved  by  Augustus.  Before  being  married  to  him  she  was  the  wife  of 
Tiberius  Claudius  Nero,  by  whom  she  had  a  sim,  Tiberins.  Augustus  compelled  the 
first  husband  to  divorce  Livia,  and  then  married  her.  Xo  son  w.ts  born  to  her  of 
Augustus,  but  Tilierius,  her  son  liy  the  first  marriage,  became  emperor. 

198.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Lysimachus,  without  the  horn  of  Jupiter  Amnion. 

199.  Sardonyx — Nerva,  twelfth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

200.  Pale  Sardonyx^Sci'pio  Africanus,  so  ctilled  on  account  of  his  concpiests 

in  Africa.     He  destroyed  Carthage. 

201.  Sardonyx— Olivia.. 

202.  »ird— Juno. 


GREEK  AND   ROMAN   CAMEOS.  681 

CASE    M. 
All  the  subjects  in  this  case  are  mythological. 

203.  Paragon  or  Toitchdone,  employed  by  jewellere  to  prove  the  quality  of  gold. 

This  interesting  cameo,  having  ten  figures,  counting  tlie  Iiirds,  etc.,  has  baffled 
many  connoisseurs  in  their  efforts  to  interpret  its  legend.  The  subject  is  mvtliolog- 
ical,  and  tlie  following  explanation  (my  own  I  is  offered; 

The  conception  of  this  curious  composition  represents  a  group  of  mythoUigical 
characters  associated  with  the  amours  antl  pleasures  to  which  Jupiter  abandoned 
himself  after  the  prolonged  lalior  of  having  oondiated  and  conquered  the  Giants. 

.Jupiter  and  .Juno  hold  festival;  .Jupiter,  King  of  heaven,  sits  complacently  in 
Paradise  enthroned  by  clouds;  beside  him  the  peacock,  Juno's  vain  companion  and 
symbol,  spreads  wide  a  canopy  witli  liis  lu-turious  plumage.  "This  is  a  day,"  says 
tlie  peacock,  '"to  see  and  to  be  seen."  On  tlie  left  floats  in  air  Oanymedes  borne  by 
his  winged  friend. 

Ubiquitous  Jove,  witli  liis  second  eagle-self  already  on  earth,  chases  the  fair 
Antiope.  who  by  her  giant  strides  evinces  that  she  would  fain  elude  his  gras]i ;  Danae 
on  the  left  also  hastens  her  pace,  having  opportunely  espied  the  fruit  and  flowers 
beyond  being  enriched  by  the  golden  rain,  liy  which  transforniation  .Jupiter  had 
already  ensnared  her.  On  the  right,  virgin  Diana,  dreading  the  sight  of  men,  fresh 
from  the  Aventine,  accoutred  for  the  chase,  advances  in  a  grove  of  trees,  followed  by 
Fauna  Fatua,  her  second  self:  they  approach  Iris,  who,  looking  to  the  skies,  wafts  to 
llie  symbol  of  her  mistress,  the  queenly  Jinio,  salutations  annoimcing  the  strife  she 
has  enkindled  here  on  earth.  The  large  eagle  below  is  to  indicate  the  presence  of 
Jupiter. 

204.  Pale  Sardoiu/.r—'KeTeviles. 

205.  Onyx — A  Bassarid. 

206.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Diana. 

207.  Pade,  unclassified — The  Hermaphrodite. 

208.  Agate- Onyx — lole,  beloved  of  Hercules. 

209.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Venus. 

210.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Apollo. 

211.  ir/uVe  Chalcedony — Medusa  (Cinque-cento). 

212.  Onyx — Jove  Serapides.     An  antiijue  cameo,  a  splendid  work. 

213.  Sardonyx — Hercules  with  the  Lion's  Skin.     The  setting  and  the  diamond 

sparks  are  niediseval  and  nidc. 

214.  Sardonyx — Ajax,  son  of  Telamon,  second  only  to  Achilles  in  bravery. 

In  a  contest  for  the  armor  of  Achilles,  Ulysses  conquered  him,  and  this  caused 
his  death.     Beautiful  cameo. 

215.  Sardonyx — Thyia,  one  of  Dionysus'  suite,  with  the  mask  of  Jledusa. 

216.  Agate — Minerva. 


682  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

217.  Onyx — A  Bacchante. 

218.  Sardonyx — Bust  of  a  Faun,  with  a  tiger-skin.     Beautiful  stone. 

219.  Agate- Onyx — lole,  daughter  of  Eurytus,  married  to  Hyllus,  son  of  Her- 

cule.s. 

220.  Sardonyx — Jupiter. 

221.  Onyx — Profile  of  Medusa,  generally  given  in  full  face. 

222.  Agiite-Omix — Lena,  ijacchante,  with  a  goat's  head  on  her  .shoulder.    Beau- 

tiful niaculation  in  the  upper  stratum. 

223.  Onyx — Chimera. 

224.  Pale  Sardonyx — Minerva. 

225.  A  (fate — Minerva. 

226.  Onyx — Minerva,  a  Caprice.     Helmet,  licad,  and  breast  ornamented  with 

masks.     Very  tine. 

227.  Mandated  Red  Calcite — Jupiter,  surnamed  Maxinius.     (From  the  collec- 

tion of  Vannutelli,   a   celebrated    Roman   advocate,  who    had   a   fine 
cabinet.) 

CASE    N. 

228.  Oriental  Green  J«.-i/)fc— Justinian,  surnamed  the  Great,  Emperor  of  Con- 

stantinople, A.  D.  ■527-">(>>,  husband  of  the  beautiful  actress  Theodora. 

229.  Rich  Red  Jasper — Aristides,  a  Greek  philosopher. 
2o0.   Onyx — Livia,  wife  of  Augustus. 

231.  Sardonyx — Hercules  with  the  Lion's  Skin. 

232.  Agate — Brennus,  general  of  the  .'-icnonian  Gauls,  B.  C.  390.     He  defeated 

the  Romans  at  the  Allia  and  took  Rome. 

233.  Agate — Psyche. 

23-1.   Chalcedony — Antoninus  Pius,  fifteenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

235.  Agate-Onyx — Bellerophon,  catching  the  "  winged  horse  Pegasus"  drink- 

ing at  the  well  of  Peirene.     Pegasus,  son  of  ]Medusa  by  Poseidon. 

236.  Sardonyx — Apollo. 

237.  Amethyst — Medusa. 

238.  Pale  Onyx — Incognito. 

239.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Incognito.     Fine  head. 

240.  0»y.r— Pallas. 

241.  Chalcedony- Onyx— "Plato,  the  Greek  philosopher. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  683 

CASE    O. 

242.  Oriental    Cha/ccdony,    tinged    with    Sapphire    hue — Meleager,    wild-l'diir 

hunting  in  the  wilds  of  Calydon.     Interesting  antique  eanico. 

243.  Agate— A  Moor. 

244.  Sardonyx — Incognito. 

24.5.  Agate — Incognito.     A  fine  stone. 

246.  Lapi.i  Lazuli — A  Faun  (Cinque-cento). 

247.  Agate- Onyx — Cicero,  the  Roman  orator. 

248.  Carnelian — Geta,  In-other  of  Caracalk,  twenty-fourth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

249.  Agate-  Onyx — Hercules. 

250.  Onyx — Crispina,  wife  of  Conimodus. 

251.  Sardonyx — Julia,  daughter  of  Titus. 

252.  Sardonyx — Galba,  sixth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

253.  Onyx — Leander.     Cut  by  Santarelli. 

254.  Gold — ^Sledal  jiortrait  of  Gio.  Antonio  Santarelli,  who  cut  the  cameo  of 

Leander,  above.     I  bought  this  of  one  of  his  descendants. 

255.  Agate-Onyx — Gallienus,  forty -fifth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  200-268,  the 

son  of  Valerianus  Senior. 

Wlien  the  news  came  that  his  father  was  prisoner  in  Persia,  Gallienns  miglit 
liave  gone  witli  a  legion  anil  have  tried  to  release  his  father,  but  for  his  own  ambi- 
tion he  ha<l  himself  iiroclaimed  emperor. 

256.  Sardonyx — Pallas. 

257.  ^4//a^'— Augustus  in  Youth. 

258.  Onyx — Pertinax,  niueteentii  Emperor  of  Rome. 

259.  Oriental  Onyx — Numa  Pompilius. 

260.  Agate-Onyx — Maecenas,  the  friend  of  Augustus  and  the  arts. 

He  liail  a  palace  where  now  stands  Santa  Maria  Maggiore. 

261.  Jasper — A  Bacchanal. 

262.  Sardonyx — Chimera,  witli  four  heads. 

CASE    P. 

263.  Onyx— A  Satyr,  showing  teeth. 

264.  Face  of  Chalcedony — Tiberius,  second  Emperor  of  Rome,  .\.  d.  14-37.     A 

valuable  fragment  of  an  antique  cameo  cut  in  his  epoch.     Finished  in 
plaster  and  gilded  by  the  collector. 


684  SOMMEBVILLE   COLLECTION. 

Was  ailupteil  by  Augustus  and  succeeded  him  ;  was  noted  for  liis  cruelty  and 
licentiousness;  his  hms;  reign  is  one  of  the  darkest  in  Koman  annals.  Much  of  his 
time  was  spent  in  lascivious  debauch  in  the  island  of  Caprea;,  while  the  afiairs  of  the 
Empire  were  left  iu  the  liands  of  the  Senate  at  Rome. 

265.  ^^afe- 0»2/-i'— Jupiter  Serapis.     A  sujierb  antiijue  cameo.     (See  "Hilda's 

Tower,"  page  r,7!'.) 

266.  Onyx — John  the  Baptist.    A  curious  cameo.    Examine  closely  inscriiition. 

267.  Pale  Sardonyx — Coriolaaus.    His  inother  and  wife  beseeching  him  to  raise 

the  siege  of  R(jnie.  On  the  left  the  Roman  guard  who  accompanied  liis 
inother,  and  on  the  right  his  own,  the  Volsciaii  guard.  Sujierb  cameo. 
(See  "Historic  Cameos,"  page  119.) 

268.  Onyx — The   Miraculous   Transportation    of    the   Virgin   Mary's   House 

across  the  Adriatic  Sea  to  Lorettu,  where  it  now  is  visited  within  the 
magnificent  Cathedral  of  Loretto  by  thousands  of  pilgrims  annually. 

269.  Onyx — Cicero. 

270.  Affitte-Oni/x — The  Annunciation.    Superb  cameo  of  the  si.Kteenth  century. 

Wonderful  utilizatiim  of  the  maculation  iu  the  stone;  when  held  to  the  light,  an 
arcliway  is  seen  between  and  beyond  the  Angel  and  Mary. 

271.  Sardoni/x — Portrait  of  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  by  one  of  the  incisori 

of  the  close  of  the  last  century. 

CASE    Q. 

272.  Pale  Oni/x — Priam  asking  Achilles  for  the  Body  of  Hector. 

273.  Sard — Jove. 

274.  Sardonyx — Medusa,  daughter  of  Phorcys  and  Ceto. 

275.  Sardonyx — Plautilla,  wife  of  Caracalla  and  daughter  of  the  African  Plau- 

tianus  Fulviu^. 

276.  Bed  Fehhpar — A  Jewish  King.     Cut   in  iiuitatinn  ni'  the  antique  l)y  M. 

Sommerville. 

277.  Onyx — A  Divinity.     Antiijuc  fragment  of  first  century. 

278.  Onyx — Petrarch's  Laura. 

279.  Afjate-Onyx — Agrippina,  daughter  of  Germanicus  and  Agrippina. 

She  was  daughter,  sister,  wife,  and  mother  of  an  emperor.  Her  vices  and  her 
ambition  rendered  her  famous.  She  married  Crispus  Passienus,  twice  consul,  wliom 
she  poisoned.  She  entered  the  capital  on  a  car  similar  to  a  priest's  offering-car,  aud 
shared  the  imperial  powers  aud  honors  with  Claudius. 

280.  Garnet — A  Scenic  Mask,  bearded. 

281.  GarHe<— A  Faun. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  685 

282.  Chalcedviii/,  tinged  with  Sajyphire  color — Vestal  Virgins  before  their  Tem- 

ple, guarding  the  Palladium,  the  saci-ed  effigy  of  Minerva.     (8ee  "  Bel- 
gium's Contribution,"  pace  3o(;.) 

283.  Maculated  Jasper — A  Philosopher. 

284.  Chalcedo)iy-OHij.i\  double  gem  — Obverse,  An  EmT^Tess,  in  relief.     Reverse, 

Virgin  and  Child.     Intuiilio. 

285.  Amethy4 — Gordianus  Africanus  Junior,  thirty-second  Emperor  of  Rome. 

General  ol'  an  African  legion,  pioelainied  emperor,  and  recognized  by  the  Konian 
Senate.     lie  was  associated  with  his  father  in  the  empire.     Died  by  assassination. 

286.  Oiii/.c — Commodus,  eighteenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

287.  Alabadei — Female  Head,  with  turreted  crown,  signifying  a  city. 

288.  Chalcedony- Omj.r — Semele,  afterward   called  Tliyone,  mother  of  Dionysus 

(Bacchus;. 

CASE    R. 

289.  Chalcedoiui — Heliogabalus,  twenty-eighth  Emperor  of  Rome.     Rare  and 

beautiful  cameo,  giving  the  entire  figure. 

The  globe  in  his  right  hand  is  emblematic  of  the  power  then  attributed  to 
Roman  emperors — a  power  governing,  as  was  snpposed,  the  whole  earth ;  his  left 
hand  rests  on  the  pointless  sword,  denoting  that  in  keeping  with  the  dignity  of  his 
imperial  fnnctions  he  was  not  to  execute,  but  to  command. 

290.  Hardonyx  —The  Power  of  Love :  Cupid  in  a  chariot  drawn  by  a  goat  and 

a  lion. 
"He  drives  not  only  the  lascivions,  but  the  strong." 

291.  Siberian  Labrador ite—Tnll  Moon. 

292.  Sardonyx — Aristides,  a  Greek  philosopher. 

293.  Snrf/oHy.r— Germanicus,  nephew  of  Tiberius,  and  his  wife  Agrippina. 

.\grippina,  danghtei"  of  Marcus  .\grippa  and  wife  of  Germanicus,  was  distin- 
guished for  her  virtues  and  heroism,  and  shared  all  the  dangers  of  her  husbaml's 
campaigns. 

294.  Sardoiiy.v—A  Gladiator. 

295.  Maculated  Agate- Onyx— ?3.\\z.i.     Beautiful  stone  ;  notice  color. 

296.  Onyx — Marciana,  si.ster  of  Trajan. 

297.  Ony.t — Ptolemseiis. 

298.  Chalcedony-  O/;  i/.c— Domitia. 

299.  ^(/o/e- OHy.c— Phoebus  in  a  Quadriga. 

300.  Jasper — Roman  Mask. 


686  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

301.  Chalcedony-Oii p—GermanieviS. 

302.  Chaleedo)iy-(Jnij.c — Lysimachus,    general    of    Alexmuler    and    King    of 

Thrace. 

303.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Meleager,  the  wild-boar  hunter. 

304.  Affute-Ony.r—Aj&x,  one  of  the  League  wlio  made  war  on  the  Trojans. 

305.  Pale  Sardonyx— TortTait  of  a  Gladiator,  known  as  the  Bustuarius. 

He  soiislit  to  proiiitiate  the  shailes  of  llie  distinguished  dead  bv  bloody  contests 
before  tlieii-  toinbs,  and  thought  thus  to  pacify  the  infernal  gods  on  their  belialf.  It 
was  an  ancient  custom  to  sacrifice  at  tliose  sepulclires  captives  taken  in  war,  as  ^Eneas 
did  at  tlie  finieral-pyre  of  Pallas.  The  unfortunate  prisoners  often  prostrated  them- 
selves before  the  mortuary  shrines  of  those  they  adored,  anil  wept,  as  did  even  Achilles 
at  the  funeral  of  Patroclus.     (See  No.  157,  Case  J.I 

This  gem  is  a  portrait,  and  does  not  represent  tlie  gladiator  in  the  position  as  in 
the  gem  shown  in  my  collection  of  1877,  which  is  not  now  in  my  possession. 

These  funeral  scenes  were  eventually  converted  into  pompous  spectacles  of  lu.\- 
urv  and  e.spen.se,  and  were  celebrated,  to  the  great  delight  of  the  people,  in  the  forum 
and  theatres,  entirely  forsaking  the  sepulchres,  and  were  called  "  the  gladiators'  funeral 
rites  for  the  souls." 

306.  .SV(/v/o////.i'— Claudius  Albinus,  twenty-.sccond   ]':ni|ieror  of  Konic,  born  at 

Adrumctuni  in  Africa. 

Had  a  valorous  army,  which  SeptimiusSeverus  feared,  thinking  he  would  [u-ove 
a  competitiu-  for  the  I'.niiiire.  He  resolved  to  make  a  friend  of  him,  and  flattered 
him  by  creating  him  Cicsar  and  adopting  him  to  the  Empire,  at  tlie  same  time  cre- 
ating a  war  in  order  to  keep  him  at  a  distance.  But  when  Septimius  Severus  felt 
himself  firm  in  the  Empire,  and  had  been  recognized  by  the  Senate  and  people  of 
Eome,  with  a  |>rele.\t  of  ilispleasure  he  caused  Claudius  Albinus  to  be  destroyed  in 
the  war. 

307.  Siinhniijx — Tiberius,  second  Emperor  of  Rome. 

CASE    S. 

308.  Sardonyx — Vespasianus,  ninth  Kniporor  of  Rome,  A.  I).  70-70.    A  remark- 

able cameo. 

He  was  born  A.  i).  9,  reigned  with  great  distincliou,  and  was  one  of  the  nol)lest 
of  the  Roman  emperors.  Unlike  most  of  them,  he  lived  plaiidy,  as  a  private  citizen, 
rather  than  as  one  po.ssessed  of  supreme  power.  I  Ic  was  never  ashamed  of  the  mean- 
ness of  Ills  origin,  and  laughed  at  tlio.se  who  tiicd  to  make  (iiU  fi.r  liim  an  illustrious 
liedigree.  Receiving  from  a  Parthian  monarcli  a  letter,  beginning  "  Arsaces,  king 
of  kings,"  he  reiilied,  "Flavins  Vespasianus  to  .\r.saces,  king  of  kings."  The  purity 
of  his  private  life  is  s,aid  to  have  done  more  to  reforin  the  morals  of  Rome  than  all 
the  laws  which  had  ever  been  enacted.  He  is  particularly  noted  for  the  siege  of 
Jerusalem,  liegun   Ky   him-i'lf  and   cpinpleted  liy  his  snu  Titus. 

309.  Sardonyx — .ffisculapius,   "the    blameless   ])hysici:in,"   scui   of   Apollo    and 

t'oronis ;  also,  the  god  of  the  medical  art. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN  CAMEOS.  687 

.310.  Agate — Mercury. 

oil.    Clialeeiloiiij-Oiii/.i- — Alexander   of   Macedonia.     Cut  by   Santiurlli.     (See 
medal  portrait  of  the  artist,  }iu.  2o4,  Case  O.) 

312.  Jiisper-Oiti/.f,  with  Marcasite — Vespasianus,  niiitli  Emperor  of  Rome. 

Tlie  Konians,  Cireeks,  and  Persians  used  sUmes  niiitaiiiing  marcasite  I'ni-  ciigraveil 
gems. 

313.  Pa/e  Af/afe-Oiii/.r — Lysimachus,  a  general  under  Alexander  of  !Maeedonia, 

and  afterwaid  King  of  Thrace. 

314.  Oricntdf  ClKiIi-cdoinj-Oinjx — Apollo.     Very  Kne. 
31.^.   Oiiij.c — An  Amazon,  with  Phrygian  beretto. 
31().    Orienhd  Surdoitijj: — Hercules. 

317.  Agate-Onijx — Caligula,  thinl  Emperor  of  Rome. 

318.  Topuz — Valerianus  Junior,  forty-.sixth  Emperor  of  Rome,  son  of  Gallienus. 

The  party  tliat  Ijad  lecugiiized  liis  power  was  diseontented,  and  liad  liim  assas- 
sinated.    We  find  a  representation  of  liis  liead  on  coins  and  cameos. 

319.  Chfdcedoiiij-iJiiijx — Satyr,  witli  the  head  of  a  goat. 

320.  iSardoityx—'Ha.rs  and  Minerva.     Fragment. 

321.  Chalcedomj-Onijx — The  Cymbal-player.     Fragment. 

322.  0;(i!/.i-— Pallas. 

323.  Red  Jasper — Pergamos,  in  a  mantle  called  the  chlamys. 

324.  0/(//.i-— Tellus,  the  divinity  of  the  Earth. 

325.  Oririihd  I'dlr  tSardniiijx — Pupienus,  thirty-third  Emperor  of  Rome,  A.  n. 

238. 

Proclaimcil  Ijy  tlie  combined  legions  to  rei;;n  with  Ilalljinns.  I'upicinis  was  a 
valorous  soldier,  and  went  to  war  while  Balliiniis  remained  in  Home  to  i>rotect  the 
seat  of  the  Kinpire.     Assassinated  liy  the  Praetorian  (niard.s. 

32(i.  Jasper-Oiiijx — Young  Augustus,  fir.st  Emperor  of  Rome. 

327.  Sdi-doiiijx — Trebonianus  Gallus,  forty-tir.sl  Emperor  of  Rome.     Beautiful 

stone. 

Reigned  A.  D.  251-254;  purchased  a  disgraceful  peace  from  the  invading  Goths, 
and  was,  with  his  son  Volusianiis,  put  to  death  liy  his  own  soldiers. 

328.  Pale  Onyx — Q,uintius  Hostilianus,  fortieth  Emperor  of  Rome,  the  son  of 

Trajan  Decius. 

Created  Caesar,  and  reigned  with  his  father.  We  find  coins  and  cameos  of  his 
reign. 

329.  SardiDii/x — .ffilius  Caesar,  adojited  bv  the  Emperor  Hadrian,  who  allowed 

him  to  take  the  title  of  C;esar. 


688  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

CASE    T. 
All  the  subjects  in  this  case  are  enjiraved  on  tiinjuoise. 

330.  A  Carious  Old  Turquoise — Achilles  iiaitiiii;-  with  Deidameia  and  his  son 

Neoptolenuis  or  Pyrrhus. 

Deitlanieia  was  one  of  the  daughters  of  Lycoiiiedes.  King  of  the  Dulopians. 

Tills  tiir(jiioise  iias  h)st  its  original  briglit  bhie  color  from  age,  as  is  the  case  with 
all  in  this  collection.  The  arms  and  legs  are  cut  entirely  in  relief  A  straw  can  be 
passed  inider  in  several  places.  When  the  (irecian  kings  had  decided  to  wage  war 
against  Trov,  Agamemnon  thought  it  important  that  Ulysses  and  Achilles  should 
take  part  in  the  e.xpedition.  It  was  suspected  that  .\chilles  was  concealed  among  the 
daughters  of  Lycomedes.  Palamedes  was  coniinis-iioned  to  seek  liim  out.  Ulysses 
suggested  a  stratagem.  He  took  a  variety  of  ornaments  for  women  and  a  shield  and 
sword,  and  repaired  as  a  peddler  to  the  palace  of  the  king  of  Scyros.  A  rare  jewel 
attracted  the  attention  of  all  the  women  e.xcept  one,  who  e.xamined  closely  the  sword 
anil  shield.  Suddenly,  Palamedes  and  his  companions  clashed  their  arms  together, 
feigrdng  an  attack  on  the  palace.  All  the  women  ran  away,  but  .\chilles,  who  had 
been  attracted  liy  the  sword  and  shield,  threw  aside  his  disguise,  seized  the  arms,  and 
assumed  an  attitude  of  defence.  Having  thus  been  discovered,  Achilles,  who  longed 
for  glory,  soon  yielded  to  their  entreaties  and  joined  the  princes. 

The  cameo  seems  to  represent  Ulysses  dragging  away  .\chilles,  who  takes  leave 
of  his  son  Xeoptolemus  (who  ten  veal's  later  followed  him  to  Troy)  and  of  his  be- 
loved Deidameia,  who  liles^es  him.  The  figures  behind  Deidameia  seem  to  be  her 
attendants. 

331.  Turquoi-ie — Silenus  and  Bacchus. 

332.  Turquoise — Cvipid. 

333.  Turquoise — Apollo  in  his  Chariot. 
834.  Turquoise — Cupid  and  a  Cock. 

335.  Turquoise — Domitia,  wife  of  Doniitian. 

336.  Turquoise — Venus  Offering  a  Sacrifice. 

337.  Turquoise — Cupid  at  an  Altar. 

338.  Turquoise — Deianira,  daughter  of  Althtea  and  wife-  of  Hercules. 

339.  Turquoise — Cupid  Disarmed  by  Venus. 

340.  Turquoise — Cupid  on  a  Dolphin. 

341.  Turquoise — Venus  and  the  Wounded  Adonis. 

342.  Turquoise — Cupid  OfiFeriug  a  Libation  to  Venus. 

343.  Turquoise — Leda,  and  Jupiter  as  a  Swan. 

344.  Turquoise — Plautilla,  wife  of  Caracalla. 

345.  TurquoUe — Medusa. 

346.  Turquoise — The  Death  of  Cleopatra. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  G89 

It  will  lie  niitioeil  tliis  tnn|iii>ise  has  lost  its  original  bright  bine  Cdlor  by  age,  vet 
on  the  head  and  face  "I'  Cleoiiatra  the  <'olor  is  still  pni-e  and  beaiitilid. 

:>47.   Turquoise — A  Naiad,  preparing  to  pour  a  libatinn  to  a  l""1;  'IVniiimis. 

o4S.   Tiirquoi.^e — Cupid  and  the  Car  of  Juno. 

349.  Turquoise — Psyche  and  Juno's  Peacock. 

350.  Turquoise — Preparing  to  Pour  a  Libation  on  an  Altar. 

351.  Turquoise — Venus  and  Cupid. 

352.  Turquoise — Virgil. 

353.  Turquoise — Cupid  Pouring  a  Libation  on  an  Altar. 

354.  Turquoise — Cupid  in  a  Biga,  drawn  by  Nereids  and  Tritons. 

355.  Turquoise — Aquila  Severus. 

She  was  the  second  wile  of  Heliogabakis  and  a  vestal  virgin.     She  objeeled  to 

marry  him  because  forbidden  as  a  vestal  virgin ;  bnt  Heliogabalns  said,  "I  am  priest 

of  the  Sini,  and  you  are  priestess  of  Yesta;  we  can  marry,  and  must;"  and  they  did. 

He  lived  with  her  a  while,  then  repudiated  her;  took  Annia  Faustina,  his  third  wife, 

.    and  finally  took  Aqnila  Severus  again  for  his  fonrtli  wife. 

356.  Turquoise — Cupid  Astride  a  Lion. 

CASE    U. 

357.  Sardonyx — Seneca  the  Philosopher,  horn  nt  Corduba,  Spain. 

He  was  in  Kome  during  the  earlier  years  of  the  reign  of  Augusttis.  He  was  a 
man  of  prodigious  memory,  ]iowerfnl  in  his  rhetoric  and  eloiiuence.  He  returned  to 
his  native  country  and  passed  many  years  of  his  married  life  there,  but  went  again 
to   Rome  during  the  reign  of  Tiberiu,s,  and  died  there. 

358.  Black  Agate — A  Mask  of  a  Satyr. 

359.  Onyx — Hand  pinching  an  Ear  :  "  Don't  forget  me." 

A  similar  gem  is  in  the  Bibliotlieijue  aX  Ravenna. 

360.  Jasper — Caligula,  i^on  of  Gcrmanicus,  third  Emperor  of  Rome ;  a  tyrant. 
3C1.  Chulcedoni/ — An  Assyrian  King. 

362.  Arjaie — Incognito. 

363.  Oni/.r — A  Flute-player. 

364.  Sardonij.r — One  of  Ceres'  Suite. 

365.  Bluish  Clialcedoiiij— An  Ethiopian,  witli  tnil)an. 

366.  Sardonyx — Antinous,  the  favorite  of  Hadrian. 

367.  Chalcedony — A  True  Portrait  of  the  Holy  Sudarium. 

368.  Carnelian — Hercules. 


(;90  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

369.  Macuhitiil  Oiii/.r — Sappho,  oiu'  of  the  .Ei)liaii  school  of  lyric  jxietry. 

370.  Sardoni/.v — Augustus,  first  Emperor  of  Rome. 

371.  0////.(— Paris  of  Troy. 

372.  Jasper — Figure  of  a  Shepherd. 

373.  Sardoiu/.f — Trajan  Decius,  tliirty -eighth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

Eorii  ill  the  |iioviiHe  iif  Datiii,  on  tlio  Diiiuilje.  Proclaimed  emiieror  by  his 
legions.     \  great  persecutor  of  the  Christians. 

374.  Oiit/.r — Jove. 

CASE    V. 

37-").  Maculated  Sardoiip- — Constantine,  Emperor  of  Rome  A.  d.  306-337,  son 
of  Constantius  Chlorus,  a  Dalmatiuii. 

His  career  wa.s  marked  by  many  important  events.  In  ."UG  .\.  I).,  after  a  long 
war  against  Maxentiiis,  be  finally  conquered  liini  at  the  Ponte  Milvio.  Maxentins 
was  ronted,  and  with  many  of  his  followers  perished  in  the  Tiber.  Constantine 
founded  the  Roman  city  bearing  his  name— Constantinople.  He  erected  it  im  tlie 
site  of  the  ancient  (ireek  city  of  Byzantinm  on  the  Ijosphonis.  He  was  the  jirst 
Christian  emperor,  and  recognized  the  importance  of  Christianity.  Reigned  aliout 
thirty  years. 

376.  Lapis  Lazuli — A  Child's  Head. 

377.  Aqua-marine  or  Bt'i-ijl — ftuintus  Herennius,  thirty-ninth  Emperor  of  Rome, 

son  of  Trajan  Decius. 

Created  (Ja'sar  liy  his  father.     We  tiiid  coins  and  cameos  of  his  reign. 

375.  I'ak  Sardoiuj.i- — An  Owl.     The  insignia  of  Minerva,  usually  on  Athenian 

coin.s. 

3711.    Chalfidaiiij-OKijx — lole. 

380.  Sardoiii/.r — Antique  Bearded  Mask. 

351.  Oiii/.r — Alexander   Severus,    twenty-ninth    Emperor    of    Rome,   anil   his 

iiKitliir,  Julia  Mamsea. 

352.  Chakrdonij-Oiiij.r — An  Amazon,  witii  Plii-yuian  beretto. 

383.  Chalcedoinj-Oiiijx — Figure  of  Pan,  tlie  god  of  the  Satyrs,  playing  on  the 

Pandean  pipes  (Cinque-cento). 

384.  J,7<(/e— Priam,  King  of  Ti-oy. 

CASE    W. 

385.  Black  Serpi'iitiiie — Pescennius  Niger,  twenty-first  Emperor  of  Rome. 

He  was  governor  of  Syria  during  the  latter  end  of  the  reign  of  Comniodiis,  and 
on  his  death  he  was  sainted  emperor  by  the  legions  in  the  East,  a.  d.  193;  bnt  in 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  691 

the  following  year  he  was  delealed  and  pnt  to  death  by  Septinuus  Severus.    He  was 
frugal,  temperate,  and  hardy  in  endurance  of  toil. 

386.  Yellow  Chalcedo)i>j — A  Scenic  Mask.     Kinniiii. 

387.  Pale  Siirdoitij.r — ftueen  Anne,  of  Great  Britain. 

She  sueceedetl  William  and  Mary,  and  reigned  from  1702  to  1714. 

388.  Chalcedony-  Oiuj.i- — Seniiramis. 

389.  Oityx — A  Bacchante. 

390.  Egyptian  Ja^jjer—lole,  daugliter  of  Eurytus  of  Occhalia  and  beloved  by- 

Hercules. 

391.  Agate — Chimera.     Wuman  with  a  mar^k. 

392.  Sard — Claudius,  fourth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

393.  Ony.r — Incognito. 

394.  Sardonyx— Oh\^j\>(\  A  Female  Head ;  reverse.  Head  of  a  Pope. 

395.  Pale  Sardonyx — Commodus  and  Crispina. 

Crispina.  wife  of  the  Emperor  Commodus.  On  account  of  intidelily  to  her  hus- 
band she  was  banished  to  C'aprea',  and  then  put  to  death. 

396.  Sapphire — Vespasianus,  ninth  E^mperor  of  Rome,  A.  d.  70-79.     A  rare 

.stone. 

397.  .S«n/o;(yx— Thyone,  mother  of  Diimysu.s  (Baeehus). 

398.  ,SVnT/o».(/.c— Dionysus  (Baeehus)  in  his  Youth. 

399.  OHi/.f— Caligula. 

400.  Sardonyx— Livia,  wife  of  Augustus. 

401.  Sf(r(?o)(//.c— Lucius  Verus,  seventeenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

402.  Agate- Onyx— Mark  Antony,  caricatured  as  a  i^atyr,  showing;  that  even  in 

the  glyptic  art  men  took  the  liberty  of  earieatuiing  those  in  power. 

403.  ^jrafc— Matidia,  niece  of  Trajan  and  mother  of  Sabina. 

CASE    X. 

404.  Siberian  Ja»per,  red  and  (/reci;— Priapus. 

This  remarkable  piece  of  Siberian  jasper  is  a  double  cameo,  the  imrple-brown 
side  representing  Priapus,  the  green  side  a  female  Egyptian  deity.  It  is  mounted  on 
a  silver  pedestal,  and  was  intended  as  a  household  idol. 

40.5.  Uni/x—A.n  African  Woman. 

406.  Sardoniix — Jugurtha. 

407.  0/((/.t— Cleopatra  and  the  Asp. 


692  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

408.  <S{n-c/— Hercules. 

409.  0«i/.i— Geta. 

410.  Pale  Sardonyx — A  Devotee.     A  very  line  cameo.     Note  open  nioutli  and 

teeth. 

411.  Chalcedoiiij-Oiiyd — Greek  Philosopher. 

412.  Sard — .ffisculapius. 

41.".  Sard — Silenus,  son   of  Hermes   and   constant   companion   of    Dionysus 
CBacclius). 

414.  ChalcedoDi/ — Euryale,  sister  of  ]Medusa. 

415.  Sard — Crispina,  wife  of  Commodus. 
41(3.  Sardoni/.r — Minerva. 

417.  Ar/ate-Oiii/.r — A  Faun  (Cinque-cento). 

418.  Oriental  Jn-yirr — Gordianus  Africanus  Senior,   thirty-first    Emperor  of 

Rome. 

Gordianus  Africanus  Senior,  Emperor  of  Rome,  was  of  noble  and  wealthy  fam- 
ily, was  general  of  a  legion  in  Africa,  and  on  the  deatli  of  Maxiniintis  Pins  was 
proclaimed  emperor  and  recognized  by  the  Koman  Senate. 

419.  Pale  Sardoni/.r — Apollo.     Notice  flesh  tint. 

420.  0;((/.i— Cupid. 

421.  Sardoiiyx — Jupiter.     Laureated. 

422.  Chalcedony — Aristides. 

CASE    Y. 

423.  Bed  Ja.y)cr-Ony.v — Satyr  and  Nymph.     Superb  cameo.     Few  museums 

possess  a  finer  specimen  of  the  glyptic  art. 

424.  Sardonyx — Constantine.     Very  fine  cameo. 

425.  Oriental  Sardonyx — Pallas  (^linerva). 

426.  Agate-Onyx — Lucius  Junius  Brutus  and  Marcus  Brutus. 

Lucius  Junius  has  a  beard  ;  Marcus  is  without  a  beard. 

427.  Pale  Mae.nlntrd   Onyx — Hercules   being   Laureated  before  Minerva,  to 

whom  he  is  recountina:  his  exploits.     (From  tlie  San  Dunati  collection ; 
Prince  Demidoff's  sale  at  Florence,  JIarch,  1880.; 

428.  Chalcedony — Figure  of  Victory  Guiding  a  Biga. 

429.  Pale  Sanlonyx — Scenic  Mask.     Anticjue  fragment  of  the  first  century. 

430.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Young  Hercules.     Fine  cameo. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  693 

431.  Dark  Onyx — Deo  Pan :  the  Pandean  pipes  hang  on  a  branch.     Cameo  of 

the  most  exquisite   fineness,   cut   by   Gironietti    and    signed    by   him. 
Observe  even  the  toe-nails. 

432.  Pale  Aimthijst — Young  Augustus. 

433.  Pale  Oin/.r — Amor  Victorious,  mounted  on  a  hurncd  honsc.     Cameo  of  the 

fifteenth  century. 

434.  Sard — Pluto  carrying  off  Persephone  to  Hades.     The  flames  are   indi- 

cated at  the  riglit  below. 

435.  Chalcedony-Onyx — Mark  Antony,  one  of  the  triumvirate  witli  Augustus 

and  Lepidus. 

Mark  .\iitony  was  associated  with  .Julius  (';isu-  in  the  overthrow  of  the  Kepiib- 
lic,  and  afterward  witli  Cleopatra,  and  was  tinally  himself  overthrown  by  Augustus. 

436.  Clialccdony-Oiiy.i- — Caracalla,  twenty-fourtli  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  211- 

217,  so  called  from  the  long  Gaulish  ttinic  which  he  wore. 

He  was  a  monster  of  cruelty.  He  joined  his  lirother  Geta  in  iioisoning  their 
father,  the  Emperor  Severus,  and  afterward  killed  Geta,  stabbing  him  in  the  very 
presence  of  his  mother,  to  whom  the  latter  had  (fed  fen-  protection.  Caracalla  also 
erased  the  name  of  Cieta  from  the  triumphal  cohnnn  on  which  it  had  been  inscribed 
beside  his  own  name  and  that  of  their  father.  This  column,  with  traces  of  the 
erasure,  may  still  be  seen  at  Komc.  The  Baths  of  Caracalla  were  built  (hiring  his 
reign. 

CASE    Z. 

437.  Af/(ite — Septimius   Severus,  twenty-third  Emperor  of   Rome,  and  Julia 

Domna. 

438.  Chalcedony- Onyx— Scenic  Mask. 

439.  Coral — Maecenas,  friend  of  Augustus. 

440.  Onyx — Antinous,  favorite  of  Hadrian. 

441.  Chalcedony— Maumkin.  (Cinque-cento). 

442.  Agate-Onyx,  double  cameo — Olwerse,  Domitia,  wife  of  Domitian,  eleventh 

Emperor  of  Rome,  and   daughter  of  Corlnilo,  a  general  of  Nero — a 
vain  wonutn,  fond  of  dres.s.  Reverse,  Psyche,  wife  of  Amor. 

443.  Onyx — Julius  Caesar. 

444.  SarrfoH!/-''— Volusianus,  forty-second  Emperor  of  Rome,  son  of  the  Em- 

peror Trebonianus  Gallus. 

The  latter  on  beginning  his  reign,  A.v.  2-il,  conferred  on  his  son  the  title  of 
Ca=sar,  and  in  2')2  the  title  of  Augustus.  Hence  Volusianns  is  reckoned  among 
the  Roman  emperors.  Trebonianus  and  A'olusianns  were  overthrown  and  put  to 
death  A.  D.  2o4.  As  rulers  they  were  weak  and  wicked,  and  their  brief  joint  reign 
is  associated  with  little  but  what  is  cowardly  and  discreditable.     They  reiiealedly 


694  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

purchased  an  is^nominioiis  peace  from  tlie  Gotliic  invaders  of  tlie  Empire.  Their 
reign  is  signalized  also  l>_v  the  breaking  out,  A.  D.  •2o2,  of  a  dreadful  pestilence  which 
ravaged  every  part  of  the  Empire  for  fifteen  years. 

445.  Sard—  A  Greek  Philosopher. 

446.  Omj.r — Nero,  titUi  Enii)cr(.)r  of  Ivmie. 

447.  Cha/cedoiiij-Ony.r — Antoninus  Pius,  fifteenth  Eiiijieror  of  Rome,  in  pontif- 

ical habit.     Cut  in  the  second  century. 

448.  Red  Jasper — Liadumenianus,  twenty-seventh  Emperor  of  Rome. 

Marcus  Oiiiliiis  Antoninus  Diadumenianus  was  son  of  the  Emperor  Macrinus. 
The  latter  on  lieginning  to  reign.  A.  D.  217,  conferred  tlie  title  of  C'a?sar  on  his  son 
and  associated  him  with  himself  in  the  government.  On  this  account  Diadumenianus 
is  sometimes  reckoned  among  the  emperors,  and  in  some  of  the  medals  issued  liy  him 
he  is  styled  Augustus.  Father  and  son,  however,  after  less  than  a  year,  were  over- 
thrown and  put  to  death  by  Heliogabalus,  A.  I>.  218. 

449.  SardiDti/x — Hippolytus,  son  of  Theseus. 

Theseus  afterward  married  Ph;i?dra.  Phii-dra  fell  in  love  witli  her  stepson  Hip- 
polytus, who  rejected  her  ofter.s,  wliereupon  she  accused  him  to  his  father  of  having 
attempted  her  dishonor.     A  similar  incident  is  in  (ienesis  xxxix. 

450.  Surdoiii/.r — Matidia,  iiieee  of  Tnijau  and  duuLiliter  of  his  sister  Marciana. 

Antique. 

451.  Sardonyx — .ffisop,  the  fabulist. 

Jisop,  the  father  of  fables  and  a  contemporary  of  Solon,  about  B.  c.  570. 

452.  Sardonyx — Incognito. 

453.  Sardonyx — Pius  VII. 

454.  Black  Ar/atc — A  Parthian  Slave. 

455.  Ony.r — Seneca,  the  Roman  pliiloso})hcr. 


EGYPTIAN    SCARABEI,   SEALS,   Etc. 

CASE    A  A. 

456.  Vitrlfiid  Pasii — A  Royal  Egyptian  Seal. 

The  hieroglyph  in  the  lower  field  is  Ileliopolis;  the  one  at  the  right  of  the 
papyrus  scroll  is  TI  (to  give);  and  the  middle  of  the  centre  three  is  XEFEK 
(good). 

457.  Green  Enamel— An  Egyptian  Amulet,  with  a  cartouche  on  each  side. 
457^.  Green  Enamel— Tla-t  Egyptian  Amulet,  with  cartouche. 

458.  Fine  antique  Egyptian  Scarabeus  in  ivory,  set  in  a  silver  ring.     Tlie  sil- 

ver ring  is  corroded  froiu  age.     (From  the  cabinet  of  M.  Demetrio,  a 


EGYPTIAN  SCARABEI,   SEALS,   ETC.  695 

Greek  gentleman,  who  twenty  years  ago  gave  a  large  collection  to 

Athens.) 
45!).  A  Scarabeus. 
400.  A  Scarabeus. 
4G1.  A  Large  Funereal  Scarabeus. 
4G'i.  A  Scarabeus. 
4(i:j.  A  Scarabeus. 

464.  An  Idol — known  as  the  god  Thot-Iljio-Cephale. 
46-5.  A  Scarabeus. 

466.  The  All-Seeing  Eye. 

467.  A  Scarabeus — The  legend  of  Tliothnies  III.:  "The  good  god,  master  of 

the  world,  who  ajipears  as  the  !Sun  eternally." 

468.  An  Egyptian  Deess,  Ptah. 

469.  A  Scarabeus. 

470.  A  Scarabeus. 

471.  A  Large  Funereal  Scarabeus. 

472.  A  Scarabeus. 

473.  Vitrified  Terra-coUa — Horus,  Isis,  and  Nephthys. 
4731.  An  Idol. 

474.  Siird — An  Idol.     The  Deess  Thoueris,  with  the  head  of  a  lioness. 

CASE    BB. 
47-").  A  Large  Scarabeus — Menophis  III.  and  his  wife  Tai  or  Taia. 

476.  A  God. 

477.  A  Gray  Scarabeus. 

47.S.  An  Idol,  found  by  :M.  8.  in  a  tond)  in  Egyjrt,  Feb.,  1870. 

479.  Pale  Green  Scarabeus. 

4S0.  Egyptian  Talisman,  engraved  on  both  sides. 

C.  Plaster  Liuiression  of  Obverse  oj  Xo.  4SO—Thothmes  III. 

D.  Phster  Impression  of  Reverse  of  No.  IfSO. 

481.  Scarabeus. 

482.  Scarabeus. 
488.  Egyptian  SeaL 

32 


696  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

484.  The  All-seeing  Eye,  gilded. 

485.  The  Nileometer. 

486.  Scarabeus. 

487.  Scarabeus. 

488.  Scarabeus,  pale  red  and  gray. 

489.  Egyptian  Talisman,  engraved  ou  both  sides. 

A.  Plaster  Lnpression  of  Xo.  4^9.     B.  Reverse,  Thothmes  III. 

490.  Egyptian  Idol,  found  by  M.  S.  in  a  tomb  in  Upper  Egypt,  Jan.,  1870. 

491.  Scarabeus. 

(^Fur  other  Egyptian  Scarabei  see  page  7(59.) 


ASSYRIAN  AND   BABYLONIAN   CYLINDERS. 

CASE    CC. 

The  learned  Assyriologist,  Dr.  William  Hayes  Ward,  late  of  the  Cath- 
erine Lorillard  Wolfe  Babylonian  Expedition,  has  earefiilly  taken  the 
measurements  and  given  most  of  the  detailed  deseriptions  of  many  of 
these  cylinders.  Others  are  by  Messrs.  Oppert,  Lenorniant,  and  ^lenaut 
of  the  Aeademie  des  Inscriptions  de  I'ln.stitut  de  France  at  Paris,  and 
the  author.     (For  notes  and  descriptions  by  JI.  ]SIenant,  .see  page  7(33.) 

492.  Hemalilt — Babylonian  Cylinder,  slightly   concave.      Length,  0.028  m. ; 

diameter,  0.0135  m. 

A  god  with  one  arm  drawn  back,  the  otlier  drawn  across  liis  body  and  liolding  a 
wand ;  bearded,  with  a  low  ronnd  hat,  and  a  short  robe  reaching  to  his  linees.  Be- 
liind  liini  the  crescent  and  the  goddess  Aa  with  liigh  tnrban,  both  hands  raised,  long 
Honnced  dress,  and  liair  with  a  roll  behind  and  a  long  quene  down  her  back.  Before 
the  god  a  small  kangaroo-like  animal  in  a  sitting  postnre  ;  also  a  worshipper,  bearded, 
in  a  low,  round  hat,  with  one  hand  raised  in  worship,  and  the  other  across  his  breast; 
wearing  a  long  fringed  robe.  Behind  him  the  snn-god  .'^liamash,  with  foot  lifted  ou 
an  animal ;  on  his  head  a  square  cap  of  feathers  (?) ;  in  one  hand  he  holds  a  crook, 
the  other  being  across  his  breast ;  the  long  robe  covers  one  leg.  Well  cut  with  the 
corundum  point,  and  well  preserved.     Circ.  1000  B.  c. 

A.  Planter  Impression  of  No.  492. 

493.  Hematite — Cylinder,  lu-obaldy  Phoenician,  of  a   marked  Egyptian  type. 

Length,  0,019  m. ;  diameter,  0.009  m. 

Within  border-lines  at  the  top  and  the  bottom  are  two  idculical  human  figures 
facing  each  otlier,  bareheaded,  with  short  liair,  beardless,  dressed  in  a  plain  robe 
fringed  at  the  bottom  and  reaching  to  the  ankles,  with  one  hand  raised  liefore  them, 
the  fingers  very  long,  the  other  hand  held  behind  the  body  and  holding  a  small 


ASSYRIA X  AXD  BABYLONIAN   CYLINDERS.  697 

object.  Between  the  two  figures  and  under  tlieir  lifted  luinds  is  the  Egyptian  crux 
ansata  (anklii.  Keliind  the  two  figures  is  a  sitting  bird  witli  wing  lifted  over  a  slen- 
der undetermined  oliject;  also  a  beardless  luinum  figure  with  long  heavy  hair  down 
his  back,  a  idain  robe  reaeliing  to  the  ankles,  with  one  band  lifted  in  wnrship  before 
him,  and  the  other  behind  his  back  ;  also  a  star  over  a  column  and  dots.  Well  cut 
with  the  point,  and  very  slightly  worn.     Circ.  500  B.  c. 

B.  Plaster  Impression  of  Nv.  ^'Jo. 

4'J4.  Dark- Green  Serpentine — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.027  m. ;  (liani- 
eter,  0.015  lu.     Somewhat  runcave. 

A  god  with  one  hand  drawn  back,  the  other  across  his  breast,  in  a  short  robe; 
behind  him  a  goddess  (.\a)  in  a  long  flounced  robe  and  with  the  two  hands  lifted  ; 
before  him  a  worshipper  in  a  long  iloiniced  (?)  dress,  with  one  hand  lifted.  Behind 
the  latter  figure  are  two  long  perpendicular  lines  and  three  lines  of  inscription.  Cut 
with  the  point,  and  very  badly  worn.  The  lines  liave  been  retouched  by  some  un- 
skillful dealer.  Circ.  1000 -loOO  li.  c.  The  name  of  the  first  line,  Zikar  Sin,  is  the 
only  one  vLsible. 

C  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  4''4- 

495.  Chakedonij — Babylonian  Cylinder,  of  tlie  Second  Empire,  the  lower  thinl 

broken  ottl     Length  of  fragment,  0.026  m. ;  diameter,  0.015  ni. ;  end 

somewhat  convex. 

A  columnar  fire-altar.  Facing  it  on  each  side  is  a  worshipper,  bearded,  in  a  low 
round  hat,  with  long  hair,  both  arms  raised,  Ills  long,  plain  rt)be  belted  about  his 
waist.  Behind  the  worshippers  a  considerable  vacant  space,  with  only  a  single 
lozenge-shaped  figure  (^7f/f.?),  coarsely  wrought  with  the  wheel ;  in  good  condition, 
except  for  the  loss  of  the  lower  third.     Circ.  400-500  B.  c. 

D.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  4^5. 

496.  r^i«7)-^2  Pe&6/e— Babylonian  Cylinder.  Length,  0.031  m.;  diameter,  0.01 7  m.. 

slightly  concave. 
A  seated  deity,  beardless,  bareheaded,  holding  up  in  one  hand  a  vase.  On  each 
side  of  the  deity  is  a  line  of  archaic  inscription.  Facing  the  deity  is  a  beardless 
woi-shipper  in  a  long,  plain  robe,  with  one  hand  lifted  in  adoration.  A  second  sim- 
ilar worshipper  follows,  and  between  the  two  are  some  indistinct  small  objects.  Cut 
with  the  point,  and  nuieh  worn.     Circ.  2000  B.C. 

E.  Plaster  Impresnon  of  No.  4^*0. 

497.  Hematite— Kittite  Cylinder.     Length.   0.023  m. ;   diameter,  0.01  m.     A 

border-line  at  the  top  and  the  bottom. 

The  god  Shamash,  with  a  high  pointed  tiirl)an,  in  a  long  robe,  with  one  bare  leg 
lifted,  holding  a  mace;  before  him  a  beardless  worshipper  in  a  low  hat,  in  a  robe 
reaching  to  the  ankles,  with  one  hand  lifted  in  adoration  ;  a  small  figure  of  Zarpanit, 
naked,  with  hands  crossed  over  her  breast,  with  her  face  in  profile  (unusual).  Under 
her  a  lion  leaping  upon  an  antelope;  a  winged  griffin  with  one  front  foot  lifted. 
Facing  and  apparently  attacking  the  griffin  a  god  in  a  high  hat,  naked  except  a  short 
garment  about  his  loins,  holds  up  a  weapon  behind  him  in  one  hand,  and  with  the 
other  appears  to  seize  one  of  the  griffin's  legs.     Behind  him  is  the  small  head  of  a 


698  SOMMEEVILLE   COLLECTIOX. 

goat  (?),  resembling  one  of  the  Hitlite  hieroglyphs.     Wrought  with  both  the  jfoint 
and  wheel,  and  in  good  preservation,     (ire.  (iUO  b.  c. 

F.  Plader  hnpresdon  of  No.  4^7. 

498.  Hemaiitr — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Lriit;tli,  <i. (>'_'■">  m. ;  diaineter,  0.012  m. 

Very  slightly  concave. 

A  god  with  one  arm  drawn  back,  holding  a  wand  in  the  other  hand,  bearded,  in 
a  low  hat,  wearing  a  robe  that  reaches  his  knees;  before  hira  the  goddess  Aa,  with 
hands  lifted,  in  a  long  flounced  robe.  Three  lines  of  inscription.  Wrought  with  the 
point,  and  in  good  condition,  except  that  the  figure  of  the  goddess  is  considerably 
worn.     Circ.  1000  B.  c. 

G.  Plaster  Impremon  of  No.  ^98. 

499.  Bark- Green   Serpentine — Babylonian  (?)   Cylinder.      Length,   O.tMi:!  m. ; 

diameter,  0.029  m.     A  border-liue  at  the  top  and  bottom. 

A  seated  god,  with  a  two-horned  headdress,  one  hand  lifted  each  side  of  his 
head,  beardless,  in  a  long  flounced  dress;  behind  him  a  small  figure  in  a  flounced 
dress;  before  him  a  table  or  altar  with  four  spreading  legs;  upon  it,  and  between  two 
lines,  an  antelope;  a  small  walking  figure  and  a  scorpion  (?)  over  a  dotted  heli.x, 
which  is  over  two  birds  facing  each  other,  with  their  long  tails  bending  back  over 
their  heads  in  a  lyre-shaped  arrangement;  then  two  standing  figures  in  flounced 
robes  reaching  to  their  ankles,  with  one  hand  raised.  Rudely  wrought  with  the 
point,  and  the  human  figures  are  drawn  out  with  very  slim  bodies.  Not  much  worn. 
Date  and  origin  unknown.  (Compare  Collection  de  Clercfi.,  C'alaloi/ue  mithodiqm  el 
raisomie,  Plate  IV.,  Fig.  28.) 


PEBSIAN  AXD  SASSAXTAX  SEALS,   ETC.  C99 

Tliis  interesting  cylinder  is  inc-ontestably  of  tlie  most  ancient  epoch  of  Cluililean 
art.  I  showed  it  to  Monsieur  Lenormant  at  a  seance  of  the  Academy  of  Inscri|itions 
at  Paris:  lie  was  much  interested  in  it,  and  wrote  the  accompanying  notice  on  it.  On 
the  preceding  page  I  give  a  fae-simile  of  his  autograph  note  on  the  cylinder. 

Nothing  from  my  pen  can  add  to  the  laurels  won  by  this  entlinsiastie  and  learned 
archieologist,  hut  this  record  expresses  faintly  the  grateful  memory  in  which  I  hold 
recollections  of  interviews  with  him  in  the  Academie  des  Inscriptions  de  I'lnstitiit 
de  France  at  Paris  in  ISSl,  a  few  months  before  his  decease. 
H.  Plasfer  Imprrsxioii  of  Xo.  499. 

(For  other  Assyrian  and  Babyldiiiaii  Cylinders  see  pp.  755,  759.) 


PERSIAN    AND    SASSANIAN    SEALS,  Etc. 

CASE    DD. 

500.  Pule  Sard — Intaglio  Seal.     Inscrii>tiou  partly  obliterated. 

A.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  MO. 

501.  Hematite — Intaglio  Seal. 

502.  Plaster  Imjjre.-^sioii  uf  Xo.  oOl. 

503.  Chalcedony — Intaglio  Seal.     A  horned  humpbacked  ox. 

504.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  503. 

505.  P(de  Sard — Intaglio  Seal. 

Two  figures,  male  and  feuuile,  witli  two  blades  between  tliem  i'e.sembling  the 
arms  of  a  windmill. 

B.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  505. 

506.  Sard — Intaglio  Seal.     A  ram. 

507.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  500. 

508.  Terra-cotta—Se3A. 

The  human-faced  bull,  a  synjbol  of  agriculture.  Above,  the  baton  of  an  augurer. 
At  the  left,  the  club  of  Hercules,  symbolic  of  force;  at  the  right,  below,  a  sprig  of 
grain.  Of  the  epoch  of  Partlienope,  the  Grecian  queen,  who  foimded  a  city  where 
now  stands  Naples. 

509.  Carneliiin — Intaglio.     A  Persian  seal — a  horned  moiifHon. 

510.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  500. 

511.  Sard — Intaglio  Seal.      The  inebriate  parrot  on  a  stand,  with  Pehlevi  inscription. 

C.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  511. 

512.  Carnelian — Intaglio  Seal. 

513.  Pla-iter  Impre.ixion  of  Xo.  51. J. 

(For  further  Assyrian  and  Persian  Seals  see  pp.  758,  765,  768.) 


700  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

PERSIAN    AND    SASSANIAN    INTAGLIOS    AND 

TALISMANS. 

CASE    EE. 

The  inscrij)tions  on  niany  of  the  8assanian  seals  are  in  the  Pehlevi 
or  Pehhivi  language,  and  date  from  the  second  to  the  sixth  century  a.  u. 

514.  Transposed  to  No.  1432,  Case  AAAAA. 

515.  CarneVmii — A  Wine-cellar  Seal,  with  inscription. 

516.  Brown  Jimpei — An  Amulet,  with  rude  ornaraentation. 

517.  Agate — A  Winged  Beetle.     Symbol  of  the  flight  of  life. 

518.  Affate — A  Scarabeus,  with  the  sun  and  moon  and  an  illegible  inscription. 

C.  Flaskr  Iinpressioii  of  No.  -JIS. 

519.  Green  Jasper — Sassanian.     Two  figures  imploring  a  blessing  from  the 

goddess  of  Agriculture. 

D.  Plaster  Imjiremoii  of  No.  519. 

520.  Sard — Intaglio  Seal.     Armored  warrior,  with  inscription. 

E.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  5M. 

521.  Agate- On i/.v — A  magic  or  cabalistic  Talisman  of  the  fourth  century. 

The  cliaracters  Ml  I  T*»»  are  niimber.'i  whose  values  give  dates  All  =  84  ;  /  T  = 
350.  -x-s*  are  values  unknown,  probably  three  10s  or  three  20s.  This  is  the  result 
of  a  study  made  by  Longperier  at  the  .\cadeniy  of  Inscriptions,  Paris,  May,  1881. 

F.  Plaster  Iinpre-'^sion  of  No.  521. 

522.  Oriental  Jasper — Artaxerxes,  the  founder  of  the  dynasty  of  the  Sassanidte. 

G.  Pla.'ilcr  Inijiression  oj  Rf  verse  of  No.  522. 

523.  Sard — Intaglio.     Contest  between  a  Lion  and  a  Bull,  with  inscription  in 

the  Pehkvi   language,  fifth  century  a.  i>. 
H.  Plaster  Iinjirr.fsion.  of  No.  52-J. 

524.  Green  Jasper — A  Sassanian  Seal,   with    characteristic   portrait    and   in- 

scription. 

J.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  52^. 

525.  Red  Jasper — An  Amulet,  with  hieroglyphics. 
K.  Plaster  Impression  oJ  No.  -i.'i. 

526.  Brown  Jasper — An  Amulet,  with  rude  embellishment  or  inscription. 


ETBUSCAN  SEALS,  SCARABEI,   INTAGLIOS,  AND  RINGS.     701 

ETRUSCAN    SEALS,    SCARABEI,   INTAGLIOS,   AND 

RINGS. 

CASE    FF. 

527.  Agate — Intaglio.     Warriors  in  Mortal  Combat,  with  iii.stiiption. 

A.  Plaster  Impresdoa  of  No.  527. 

528.  Chalcedony- On i/.r — An  Etruscan  Scarabeus,  with  intaglio. 

B.  Pla-der  Impret-sioa  of  No.  oJS. 

529.  Bronze — A  Curious  Etruscan  Ring,  having  two  locks. 

The  first  opens  with  a  secret  spring,  and  tlie  second  or  inner  hxk  with  a  minute 
key.   The  sliank  was  also  set  free  b_v  a  spring  lock,  so  that  it  opened  on  a  pivot  hinge. 

530.  Dark  Sard — An  Etruscan  Scarabeus.     Very  fine. 

Achilles  taking  connsel  from  L'lvsses. 

C  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  5-30. 

531.  Bronze,  with  gold  alloy — The  Sprig  with  Rose. 

This  was  an  emblem  often  added  to  the  intag!i<is  of  Rhodes.  Bonght  of  an  Ilini- 
garian  gypsy  in  an  encampment  near  Carlherg,  north  of  Stockholm,  Sweden.  (See 
"Carlberg  Gypsies,"  page  352.) 

D.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  531. 

532.  Carae^tan— Intaglio.     Hercules  in  Repose  beside  a  Stag. 

E.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  532. 

533.  Sard — An  Intaglio,  very  curious.     An  aciial  loconiotive  with  one  wheel. 

Founil  at   Esneh. 

F.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  5S3. 

534.  Sard — A  Talisman,  pierced  so  that  it  could  be  worn  on  a  cord. 

G.  Plaster  Impresxion  of  No.  5-J4- 

535.  Sard — Incognito.     The  dog  resembles  the  dogs  of  the  nineteenth  centiiiy. 
H.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  535. 

536.  Sard — Intaglio.     An  armorer. 
J.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  536. 

537.  Sard — An  Etruscan  Scarabeus.     A  horned  luiU. 
K.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  ''-IT. 

538.  Sard— An  intaglio.     A  Devotee  before  a  Shrine.     Above,  the  symbol  of 

divine  recognition. 
L.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  538. 

539.  Sard — An  Etruscan  Scarabeus. 
M.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  5-39. 


702  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

540.  Sard — Intaglio.    An  Equilibrist  managing  Three  Balls. 
N.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  540. 

541.  Sunl — Intaglio.     A  Trophy.     Aicluiic. 
O.  Plader  Impvemon  of  No.  '>Jfl. 

542.  Sard — An  Etruscan  Scarabeus.     A  charioteer. 
P.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  oJfi. 

54-3.   Chalcedonij-Oinj.r — Etruscan  Ring,  with  scarabeus,  found  in  an  excava- 
tion near  Cornetto. 
Q.  Pla.'tter  Impression  of  No.  oJ^o. 

544.  Sardoui/.c — Intaglio.     Apollo  with  Harp. 


PHOENICIAN    A:\IULETS,   8EALS,   8CAEABEI,   Etc. 

CASE    GG. 

To  Ernest  Reuan,  the  biographer  of  Clirist,  "our  divine  Redeemer," 
whose  example  he  has  followed  in  all  his  relations  in  life,  this  expres- 
sion of  my  appreciation  is  rendered  in  gratitnde  for  information  given 
at  seances  of  tlie  Academy  of  Inscriptions,  Paris,  in  explanation  of 
Christian  and  I'ha'nician  gems. 
545.  Basalt — Phoenician  Scarabeus.  Rare,  large,  and  interesting.  (From  the 
Zanetti  Collection,  \'cnicc.) 

1  li;ive  for  many  years  had  (lie  pleasiu'e  of  tlie  aci|uaintiuice  of  tlie  family 
Zauetli  of  Venice.  Tlieir  ancestor,  Antonio  Maria  Zanetti,  born  in  Venice  in  1680, 
was  a  great  enthusia-st  in  art  and  made  a  valuable  collection  of  gems ;  many  of  lliem 
are  in  the  Museum  Correr  at  Venice,  ami  quite  a  number  are  now  in  my  possession. 
(See  some  further  notice  of  Zanetti  in  "(ieneral  Dealers,"  page  315.) 

54().  A(/atc — An  Amulet.     (In  the  reverse  is  the  serpent  of  Cadmus,  coiled  in 
repose. 

A.  PlaMer  Imprc»--<ioii  if  Nn.  .5^6. 

547.  Paste — KikIc  and  cuiions  figure  of  a  Bearded  Priest. 

548.  Sard — Intaglio.      Archaic.      The    Siren    Aglaophenie,    who    lived    with 

Thelxiepeia  on  the  islaiul  of  j\^nthemusa,  off  the  coast  of  Italy. 

The  shackles  in  her  right  hand  were  intended  to  bind  Odysseus  when  charmed 
not  only  with  the  voices  of  the  sirens,  but  also  enchanted  by  the  silver  tones  of  tlieir 
trumpets;  but,  heeding  the  advice  of  Circe,  Odysseus  stopped  his  ears  and  those  of 
his  companions  with  wax  until  his  boat  was  beyond  their  power. 

B.  Plaster  Imjwession  of  No.  5^8. 

549.  Pale  Gra;/  Onij.r — Scarabeus,  with  intaglio  of  a  warrior — broken. 


ABBAXAS,    GNOSTIC   GEMS,   ETC.  703 

550.  Basalt — Phoenician  Scarabeus,  like  545.     Beautiful  and  rare.     (From  the 

Zanetti  Collection.)     Phaniician  scavabei  are  rare. 

551.  Obsidian — A  Phoenician  Scarabeus,  ^linerva.     Archaic. 

C.  Plii-sfer  Imjjri-ssloii  iif  \(i.  -'I'll. 

552.  Onyx — An  intairlio  rinu,  Minerva.    Archaic.    Has  probal)ly  been  cut  down 

from  a  scarabea^^,  B.  v.  300  years. 

D.  Plader  Iin2}re,<-<ioii  of  A'l^.  -j-j.-!. 

553.  S(tnlomj.i-—lnUvj\\o.    A  Winged  Camel. 

E.  Plaster  Imj)irssioii  of  Xo.  JJJ. 

554.  Jasper — Intaglio.     A  Bull. 

F.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xu.  'loJ/.- 

555.  Dark  Sard — Intaglio.     Archaic.    Returning  from  the  Vintage, 
(t.   Plaster  Inipri ssiiin  iif  Xu.  -i-i-i. 

55(i.   Onyx — Intaglio.     The  Flying  Horse  Pegasus. 

H.  Plaster  hnprexsian  nf  Xo.  ■>-)(i. 

.557.   Onyx — Intaglio.     Minerva  Protectrice.     Archaic. 
J.  Plaster  Impre-'ision  of  Xo.  557. 

558.  Basalt — Phoenician  Scarabeus.     Rare,  large,  and   interesting,  like  550. 

(From  the  Zanetti   ( 'nlUMtion.) 

559.  Basalt — Phoenician  Scarabeus.     King  found  in  Sardinia,  of  the  time  of  the 

Phoenician  occupation  of  that  island. 
A  temple,  hi  tlie  centre  of  wiiich  is  an  altar  with  an  idol  stone.  On  the  ped- 
iment is  a  solar  disk,  which  probably  was  flanked  by  an  nniMis;  also  on  the  base 
of  the  temple,  at  either  side,  were  these  ura?i ;  the  minute  fitrnre  above  is  a  very  beau- 
tifid  Pegasus  feeding.  This  rare  Plujjnician  relic  was  viewed  with  interest  in  the 
Academie  des  Inscriptions  at  I'aris  in  1882. 
K.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  550. 

560.  Purphjry — Beautifully  wrought  on  both  sides.     Two  similar  may  be  seen 

at  the  ]\Iiiseum  in  Bolouiia  and  two  at  the  Louvre,  Paris. 


ABRAXAS,   GNOSTIC    GEMS,   Etc. 

CASE   HH. 

.561.  Basalt — Anubis.     An  amulet  engraved  on  both  sides  and  inscribed  with 
Abraxas  characters,  unintelligible. 

A.  Plaster  Iinpres.<ion  of  Obverse  of  Xo.  561. 

B.  Plaster  Impression  of  Reverse  of  Xo.  561. 


704  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

562.  Hematite — An  Abraxas  Seal,  both  sides    insfriliL-il ;    also  an  iiiscTijitinii 

around  the  edge. 
C".  PImtfr  Impre.-isioii  of  Obverse  of  Xo.  5G2. 

D.  Plaxter  Impremon  of  Reverse  of  Xo.  5G'2. 

563.  Green  Jasper — Intaglio.     Abraxas. 

E.  Pla.<itcr  Inijirc-^sioii  of  Xo.  5G3. 

564.  Green  Jasper — A  Talisman. 

On  tlie  (ibveise  U  tlie  tigiire  of  Apollo  and  the  Seiuitii'  inscription, 
CCMe[C]        CIAA[M]      " Sun  Eternal." 

On  tlie  reverse  is — 

CTAAU^APl 
CAIXTAH^rO 
XNGBIC 

The  third  and  last  line  is  Chnubis.     The  inscription  is  evidently  Gnostic  and  in- 
tended to  be  concealed. 

F.  Plaster  Impression  of  Obverse  of  Xo.  504. 

G.  Plaster  Impression  of  Reverse  of  Xo.  564. 

565.  Transposed  to  Case  A  AAAA,  No.  1431. 

566.  Serpentine — Intaglio.     Abraxas,  with  inscription. 
H.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  500. 

567.  A;/alc — Abraxas  Intaglio  Ring,  with  the  sun.  modii,  stars,  and  inscription. 

A  Cabalistic  talisman  of  the  third  century,     liistription,  Vi-M.     Nat- 
urally, the  impression  reads  x\iih. 
J.  Plaster  Imjjression  of  No.  567. 

568.  Green  Jasper — Amulet,  with  inscriptions. 
K.  Plaster  Impression,  of  Obverse  of  No.  568. 
L.  Pla.^ter  Impression  of  Reverse  of  No.  56S. 

569.  Carnelian  Ony.v — A  beautiful  Abraxas  Talisman.   A  Cnostic  gem.   Raised 

inscription,  Sabaote,  the  name  of  a  god  worshipped  by  the  Gnostics 
of  the  second  century. 

570.  Hematite — Intaglio.     Obver.se,  Minerva.     Reverse,  inscription. 
il.  Pktster  Impression  of  Obverse  of  No.  570. 

N.  Plaster  Impression  of  Reverse  of  No.  570. 

571.  Agate — Abraxas.     Intaglio  ring.     The  winged  horse  Pegasus  surrounded 

by  frolicking  boy.s. 
O.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  571. 

572.  Transposed  to  Case  AAAAA,  No.  1429. 


ABRAXAS,    GNOSTIC   GEMS,   ETC.  705 

573.  Hematite.     A  craiul   piece  (if  great  value.      Intaglio-work  equally  dec- 

orating liotli  c(invex  and  Hat  f^ides. 

The  central  tigure  on  the  convex  side  is  thogotl  I  AW, a  panthens  made  up  of  tlie 
four  elements — the  serpent,  the  eagle,  the  human  trunk,  and  the  scourge — comhining 
in  himself  manv  attributes  of  the  solar  divinity.  Even  scholars,  seeing  these  inscrip- 
tions for  the  first  time,  e.xclaim,  "Oh,  I  see  tliat  is  (rreek!"  hut  soon  they  are  unde- 
ceived when  with  the  Greek  vowels  they  encounter  the  perplexing  consonants  and 
otlier  characters  so  unintelligihle;  in  fact,  tliese  were  only  understood  hy  the  priests, 
who  inscribed  them  for  tlieir  superstitious  followers. 

P.  Plaster  Imprcs.von  of  Coiive.v  Side  of  No.  oT-J. 

Q.  Plaster  Impre.^tsion  of  Flat  or  Reverse  Side  of  Xo.  373. 

574.  Red  Jasper — Amulet.  Obverse,  the  Gorgon  Medusa.  Reverse,  long  inscrip- 

tion in  Greek — Abraxas  : 

roprcj  ANAAAcjcj 

NAXi/\A  CINAAriU 

EVCOAAI  MHTICTEVE 

oroYTAVp  cetJCAN 

0VI0VAIC9  XNOVBI 

which  should  read  : 

rOProN     AXIAAEVC    0     AAlOrOY     TAYPOV 
lOYAIC        eAN[ONTEC]       AAAU     CJCIN      AA^ICJ 
MHT       ICTEVECeCJCAN       XNOVBI 

—"Gorgon,  Achilles,  the  son  of  Ilalioges  Tlnros,  lulls;  when  they  are  dead,  I  say, 
may  tliey  be  clothed  and  not  be  threatened  by  C'huubis!"     "I  say"  is  ecjuivalent  to 
"  I  wish  "  or  "  I  utter." 
R.  &  S.    Gutta-percha  Iinpres.<<ioiis  of  Obverse  and  Reverse  of  No.  -574. 


BYZANTINE. 


CASE    II. 

Byzantine  and  other  cameos  of  the  sixth  century,  all  representing 
Christ  our  Saviour. 

575.  Oriental  Ja.<tper — Christ.     Ityzaiitine,  with  ins^cription,  sixth  century  A.  d. 

576.  Egyptian  Jasper — A  ring.    The  Crucifixion.    Byzantine,  with  gold  letters, 

sixth  century  A.  d. 

577.  Green  Jade — Bvzantine  of  the  sixth  century.     Christ,  giving  a  benedic- 

tion with  one  hand  and  holding  a  nianuscrij)t  in  the  other. 

It  is  in  the  style  of  Giovanni  Zeniisces.  This  jade-stone  is  a  remarkably  beauti- 
ful specimen.  Inscription,  IC,  abbreviation  of  lesons ;  XC,  abbreviation  of  Christos 
— Jesus  Christvs. 


706  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

578.  Sard — A  ring.     Christ  Bearing  the  Cross.     Six  figures  are  vi.~il)le. 

579.  Heliotrope — Head  of  Christ,  crowiuil  with  tiioniri. 

The  natural  spots  in  this  jasper  sanguinaria  are  utilized  to  represent  the  blood 
from  the  thorns. 

580.  Antique  lied  Enamel — Interesting  Byzantine  cameo.     The  Virgin  Mary 

and  Infant  Jesus,  with  inserijition  in  raised  letters,  sixth  century  a.  d. 

581.  lioek   Crij.4<d — Intaglio.      Christ.     A  sacred  church  implement,  used   in 

the  twelfth  century,  held  out  on  the  end  of  a  baton  to  be  kissed  by  tlie 
faithful. 

582.  Nephrite — A  Christian  Talisman  of  the  third  century  a.  n. 

58-3.  Sardonij.r — A  Byzantine  Head  of  Christ,  both  cameo  and  intaglio,  with 
inscriptions  on  obverse  and  reverse. 

58-t.  Antique  Enaine/ — The  Crucifixion.     Early  Byzantine. 

585.  Egyptian  Jasjn  r — A  curious  Byzantine  intaglio  of  Christ  Crowned  with 

Thorns,  sixth  century  a.  d. 

586.  Heliotrope — Head  of  Christ. 

587.  Heliotrope — Adoration  of  the  Child  Jesus. 

588.  Acjate-Onijx — Head  of  Christ. 

589.  Antique  Red  Enamel — Interesting  Byzantine  Cameo,  about  tlie  seventh 

century.  At  tliis  epoch  one  first  finds  Christ  on  the  cro.ss.  The  in- 
scription in  raised  letters:  IC,  alibrcviation  of  Jesus;  XC\  abbreviation 
of  Christos — Jesu.s  Christ. 

590.  Sardonyx — A  ring.    Christ  Praying  in  the  Garden;  the  discij)les  surround 

him.     Above,  in  the  upper  field,  is  the  approving  XJhE. 


MACULATED    PEUBLES,   Etc. 

CASE  JJ. 

All   in   this  case  are  of  the  era  of  Art's  Kight,  the  eighth,  ninth, 
teiitli,  and  eleventh  centuries. 

591.  Turqaoise — Two  Grotesque  Heads. 

592.  Agate — A  Rude  Carving,  characteristic  of  the  tenth  century. 

59o.  Agate — Rude  Carving,  cliaracteristic  of  the  ninth  century.      A  double 
head. 

594.  Agate — A  Rude  Carving. 


MACULATED   PEBBLES,   ETC.  707 

595.  Agate  —Two  Children. 

596.  Af/afe — A  Rude  Carving. 

597.  Aijiite — A  Rude  Head. 

598.  Agate— A  Rude  Carving  of  a  Bearded  Head. 

599.  Green  Jaspet — A  Head,  in  s;uir(lnt;il  costume. 

600.  Mottled  Jasper — Scipio  Africanus. 

601.  Macidided  Jasper— A  Head,  with  sacerdotal  (Irapery. 

602.  Tiirqnokc — Juno,  ftueen  of  Heaven.     As  sucli  she  wa.s  worshipped  at  her 

temple  on  the  Aventiiie  at  Rome. 

603.  ^jfafe— Rude  Carving,  of  the  ninth  century. 

604.  Turquoise — A  Rude  Female  Head  and  a  Skull. 

605.  Green  Iceland  Jasper — Rude  Carving,  of  the  ninth  century. 

606.  Maeulated  Jasper— A  Fury. 

607.  Maculated  Jaspei — A  very  curious  Head  in  alto-rilievo. 

608.  Green  Iceland  Jasper — Double  cameo.     Obverse,  A  Rude  Head,  in  relief; 

reverse,  Venus.     Intaglio. 

CASE    KK, 
All  in  this  case  are  of  the  period  of  the   Medici  (Cinque-cento). 

609.  0/(//.c— The  Ark  of  Noah.     Setting  of  emeralds  and  pearls,  of  the  six- 

teenth century. 

610.  Cha/cedony-Ony.i—A  Figure  ahout  to  pour  a  Libation  (Cinque-cento). 

611.  ('lialcedony-On>i.r—At\a.s  Bearing  the  Earth  on  his  Shoulders. 

612.  Carnelian—A  Woman  of  the  Cinque-cento. 

613.  Chalcedony — An  Angel's  Head. 

614.  Chalcedony- Onyx— Cvc^i^  on  a  Dolphin. 

615.  Chalcedony-  ()/((/.(■— Donna. 

616.  CTa/ceffo/?;/- 0» .)/.<— The  Mandoliniste.     Rare.     The  three  figures  are  rep- 

resented with  hands. 

617.  Chalcedony- Onyx — A  Sacrifice. 

618.  Sardonyx— A  Head,  with  Olympian  cap. 

619.  Red  Agatr—A  Mask. 

620.  Chalcedony- Omjx—Yenvis  in  a  Biga,  drawn  by  a  lion  and  a  leopard. 


708  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

621.  Chalcedony-  Oinj.v — Portrait  of  One  of  the  Medici. 

622.  Jasper  Onyx — Female  Head. 

623.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — A  Woman. 

624.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Abraham  about  to  Sacrifice  Isaac. 

625.  Sardonyx — Artemisia,  with  a  vase  foiitaiiiing  the  ashes  of  her  husband's 

body :  she  is  at)out  to  drink  of  tlieni. 

626.  Chalcedony— k  Lady  of  the  Medici  Period,  with  costume  and  liaiid. 

627.  Venetian  Paste — Incognito. 

628.  Pale  0«//.r— Cupid  about  to  Drink. 

629.  Onyx — Vulcan  at  the  Forge,  witii  a  C'vclni). 

630.  Chalcedony- Ohi/x — Donna,  of  the  ]\Iedici  family. 

631.  Oiii/x — One  of  the  Medici  Family. 

632.  0/(//.(— Psyche. 

633.  0/(//.<— Cupid  with  a  Tibia. 

634.  Chalcedony-Onyx — Donna  of  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

635.  Pale  Onyx — Cupid  Bathing  the  Feet  of  a  Nymph. 


CHINESE. 

CASE    LL. 

636.  Maculated  Anjilla — Horse  Frolicking. 

637.  Yellow  Argilla — A  Grotesque  Idol. 

638.  Macidated  Argilla — Horse  in  Repose. 

639.  Nacre — Grotesque  Animal  Crowned. 

640.  Jade— A  Small  Tablet  of  Chinese  Workmanship.' 

Literal  translation  of  eacli  verse: 

1.  Water  walls  (palisades)  evening  calm 

2.  Willow  bank  opening  feature  fresh 

3.  Green  mountains  thirty  miles 

4.  According  to  will  observe  the  morning  waves 

Ju  SI  O.,  fee. 

'  The  Rev.  .lohn  Stronacli,  who  for  thirty  years  was  a  missionary  in  China,  and  wlio 
translated  the  Bible  into  C'liinese,  seeing  this  stone  one  day,  kindly  gave  me  the  above 
explanation. 


CHINESE. 


709 


^ 


2^^ 


% 


Obveree. 


Reverse. 


Free  translation  of  each  verse  : 

1.  Tlie  evening  wind  blows  calm  over  the  water-fenced  houses. 

2.  The  willow  on  the  bank  displays  its  renewed  aspect. 

3.  The  green  mountains  stretch  over  thirty  miles. 

4.  As  his  will  inclines  him  the  spectator  observes  the  morning  waves. 

Poet's  name,  Ju  si  O. 

(i41.  Xacn — Grotesque  Animal  Crowned. 

642.  Black-  Jdili' — Stag  and  Doe.     Very  rare  sjiecimen.     Procurt'd  from  the 
sale  of  the  effects  of  a  French  consul  to  China  fifty  years  ago. 

648.  Pearl—An  Idol.     This  is  olitained  by  slippintr  a  leaden  intaglio  into  the 
shell  iif  the  livinfr  Anadonfa  in  the  rivers  of  China. 

(i44.  Xacre — Grotesque  Animal  Crowned. 

645.  Jade— A  Boating  Party  passing  between  Wooded  Islands,     rrociued 

from  the  sale  of  the  effects  of  a  French  consul  to  China  fifty  years  ago. 


CASE    MM. 

646.  Jade— A  Monkey. 

647.  AgalmaioUte—A  Chinese  Figure. 

648.  .4  »(f//(  (/•-'— Grotesque  Chinese  Amulet. 

649.  .4i»6<)— Fruit  on  a  Branch. 

6-50.  Maculated  Arr/illa—A   pastoral   scene,   Man   with    Horses.     A   Chinese 

cameo. 
6.")1.  Amber — A  Melon. 
652.  Flint  Pade—'EoTses  Frolicking. 


710  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

653.  Nacre — A  Grotesque  Animal  Crowned. 

654.  Flint  Paste — Horses  Frolicking. 


MEXICAN    AND   VANCOUVER    ISLAND. 

CASE    NN. 

655.  Basalt — Specimen   of  rude   but  iiitere.<ting   work  by  the  aborigines  of 

Vancouver  Lslaml. 

656.  Yellow  Argilln — Mexican  Idol. 

657.  Rock   Crystal — The  Moon.      Ornament   worn   in   ancient   Mexico  on   the 

breast  of  sovei-eigns.     Unique  and  extremely  rare.     The  French  Gov- 
ernment owns  one  similar,  but  both  points  b:ive  l)een  broken  off. 

658.  Tt'r;v(-co/;((— Head,  known  as  a  t'iioluhui. 

659.  Alabaster — Most  interesting  Group.     Observe  the  headdre.sses  of  feathers  ; 

such  were  still  worn  l)y  the  rulers  and  their  suite  in  the  time  of  the 
]Montezuiiias  anterior  to  the  Conquest. 

660.  Terra-cotta — Head,   known    as  a  Cholulan.     Presented    liy   Prof   Josej))! 

Leidy. 

661.  Chalreiloiii/ — Rude  Full  Face.     On  Mexican  stones  portraits  are  generally 

given  in  profile. 

662.  Blcwk  Arfi'tlla — Rude  Mexican  Amulet.     Tiie  hole  by  which  it  was  sus- 

pended is  partially  broken  away. 

663.  Black  Art/ilia — Mexican  Idol. 

664.  (ifiiartzite — Rude   Head.      Interesting  on  account  of  the  very  primitive 

execution. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN  CAMEOS. 

CASE  OO. 

665.  Sard — Beautiful  example  of  the  incident  of  Troy,     .ffineas,  carrying  his 

aged  father  Anchises  on  his  shoulders,  accompanied  by  the  young  As- 
canius.  They  are  leaving  Troy  in  flames ;  a  boatman  awaits  them  near 
the  shore. 

666.  Pale  Onyx — Mercury,  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  JIaia :  he  is  represented  as 

a  youth  with  wings  on  his  sandals,  talaria,  and  on  his  casque  pctasus ; 
the  caducens  in  his  hand  was  a  wand  witli  two  serpents  entwined.     He 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  711 

was  believed  to  he  the  most  cunning  of  the  gocU,  having  robbed  Venus, 
Apollo,  Mars,  Neptune,  and  Vulean  :  the  list  of  trophies  thus  acquired 
was  a  girdle,  an  arrow,  a  sword,  a  trident,  and  Vulcan's  anvil. 

667.  Sftrdoinjx — Jove. 

668.  Cak  Tufa — Cupid.     Antique  fragment  dug  up  in  the  Canipagna.    (From 

Depoletti's  (.'ollection,  Kome.) 

669.  Amethifst — Dionysus  (Bacchus). 

670.  Chri/mprase — Lena  (Bacchante).     A  fine  specimen  of  ehrysoprase. 

671.  Cufdl — Obverse,  St.  Michael  and  the  Dragon.     Reverse,  The  Resurrection 

(Cinijue-cento). 

672.  Kirdoiii/x — Plautilla,  wife  of  Caracalla,  daughter  of  Plautianus,  Senator 

of  Rome. 
In  consequeuce  of  the  intrigues  of  her  latlier,  Plautilla  was  banished  by  her  hus- 
band, and  tinally  put  to  death. 

673.  Sard — Aristotle. 

Born  at  Stagira,  in  Macedonia,  B.C.  .384;    he  lived  at  Athens  twenty  years. 
Plato  named  liis  house  "The  House  of  the  Reader." 

674.  Agate — Hygeia,  goddess  of  Health. 

675.  Yelloiv  Chalcedony — Antique  Roman  Scenic  Mask. 

676.  Afjatc — A  Negro. 

677.  Sardoniix — Marcus  Aurelius,  sixteenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

678.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Lysimachus. 

679.  Cofal — Julia,  daughter  of  Titus. 

680.  Red  Jasper — Antisthenes,  a  disciple  of  Socrates.     Cameo  with  a  hand. 

681.  Sardonyx — Venus. 

CASE    PP. 

682.  Mandated  >Sarrfon)/.T— Caracalla,  twenty-fourth  Emperor  of  Rome. 
68.3.  Brnn-n  Jaqier—k  Skull. 

684.  Lcipk  Lazuli — Otho,  seventh  Emperor  of  Rome,  grandson  of  Otho  Sal- 
vius,  an  Etrurian. 

68-5.  Onyx — Proserpine,  daughter  of  Ceres. 

686.  0«!/.r— Apollo. 

687.  Chalcedony-Onyx— k  Bassarid. 

688.  Oh!/j;— Raffaelle. 

33 


712  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

689.  Pale  Onyx — Jove  Serapides. 

690.  Oriental  Chalcedony — Galba,  .sixth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

Serviiis  Sulpioiiis  Galba,  born  b.  c.  3  ;  early  attracted  the  notice  of  Augustus  ami 
Tiberiii's,  both  of  wlmni  jiretlicted  his  ultimate  rise  to  the  throne.  He  inherited  large 
wealth,  and  being  pos.se.s.sed  of  superior  talents  rose  rajiidlv  to  distinction.  He  held 
numerous  important  offices  under  Caligula  and  Nero,  and  on  the  downfall  of  the  lat- 
ter, A.  D.  68,  was,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one,  proclaimed  emperor  by  his  own  troops 
and  by  the  Praetorian  Guard ;  but,  undertaking  to  reform  the  abuses  of  the  latter, 
was  deposed  and  slain  by  them  after  a  reign  of  only  seven  months. 

691.  Jaxper — Callimachus,  inventor  of  the  Corinthian  capital.     Inscription. 

692.  Maculated  Ai/ale — Philip  the   Arabian,  thirty-sixth  Emperor   of  Rome, 

and  his  wife,  Otacillia. 

Marcus  Julius  Philippus  was  proclaimed  emperor  by  the  soldiers  A.  it.  24-1,  and 
was  killed  before  Verona,  A.  D.  249.  According  to  Eusebhis  and  other  ecclesiastical 
writers,  he  was  a  C'liristian,  though  not  openly,  the  Empire  being  .still  pagan.  His 
reign  is  chietly  known  by  the  celebration  I  A.  D.  248)  of  the  thonsandth  anniversary 
of  the  founding  of  Rome.  The  emperor  on  this  occasion  gave  a  series  of  grand  fetes 
composed  of  chariot-races  in  the  Circus  Ma.ximus  and  combats  of  gladiators  and  wild 
beasts  in  the  ('olosseum.  The  animals  used  for  this  purpose  were  of  many  and  rare 
species,  bronglit  to  Rome  from  all  ipiarters  of  the  world  expressly  for  the  purpose — 
lions,  tigers,  elephants,  liyenas,  hippopotami,  panthers,  etc.,  in  great  numbers. 

Otacillia  Severa,  wife  of  Philip  the  Arabian,  it  is  said  secretly  professed  the 
Christian  religion  with  her  husband,  ahhough  they  ruled  a  pagan  people.  A  good 
woman. 

693.  Chalcedony- Onij.r — Julia  Pia  and  her  son  Geta. 

694.  Onyx — Tiberius. 

695.  Onyx — Didius  Julianus,  twentieth  f]mperor  of  Rome. 

At  tlie  death  of  the  Emperor  Pertinax,  A.  D.  193,  he  purchased  the  Empire  at 
public  sale  of  the  Pnvtorian  Guards.  He  did  not  pay  tlie  promised  sum,  and  in  two 
months  was  assa.ssinated. 

696.  Carnelian — Pallas. 

697.  Chalcedony — Pescennius  Niger,  twenty-first  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  193. 

Proclaimed  emperor  by  the  legions  in  the  East,  but  in  the  following  year  he  was 
defeated  and  put  to  death  by  Septimius  Severus. 

CASE    QQ. 

698.  Sardunyx — The  Pallas  of  Troy,  Minerva,  the  owl  witli  hi.s  plumage  form- 

ing the  lieaddress. 

699.  Bock  Cry-ttal — Antique  Head.     Style,  Egyptian.     The  only  one  I  have 

ever  found. 

700.  Onyx — A  Greek  Philosopher  (fragment).     (Through  Depoletti,  from  a 

Tuscan  collection.) 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN  CAMEOS.  713 

701.  Chalcedony-Onyx — Trajan  Decius,  thirty -eighth  Emperor  of  Rome,  and 

liiif  wife. 

702.  Oriental  Sardonyx — Faustina,  wife  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  daughter  of  An- 

tuninus  Piu?;  and  Faustina  Senior,  and,  like  her  mother,  beautiful  and 
wanton. 

Her  proflifjacy  was  so  ojien  and  infomoiis  that  the  continued  affection  of  her 
husband  is  one  of  the  marvels  of  history. 

703.  Sardonyx — Geta,  brother  of  Caracalla,  twenty-fourth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

704.  Pule  Onyx — Livia. 

705.  Sard — Meleager,  son  of  Neoptolemus. 

706.  Agate — Psyche. 

707.  Onyx— Raffaelle. 

708.  Sardonyx — Faustina  Junior. 

709.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Germanicus,  nephew  of  Tiberius. 

710.  Onyx — Pilocrate  or  Philocrates. 

He  is  said  in  time  of  danger  only  to  have  trnsted  in  what  surely  could  not  liarm 
him.  Tliis  gem  is  one  of  a  .series  worn  by  ancient  Romans;  on  which,  instead  of 
carrying  the  effigy  of  a  divinity  for  their  guardian  patron,  some  hero's  name  was 
chosen  and  graven  on  the  amidet. 

711.  Lapis  Lazuli — A  Scenic  Mask. 

712.  Chulci'dony-  Onyx — Minerva. 

713.  Amazon-stone — Maximinus  Pius,  thirtieth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

714.  Oriental  sSardonyx — Plotina,  wife  of  Trajan,  thirteenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

An  exemplary  woman  and  empress.     Fine  antique. 

715.  Sardonyx — Antoninus  Pius,  fifteenth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  loiS-Kil. 

Rare  and  beautiful  cameo. 

Born  near  Lanuvium,  from  an  early  age  he  gave  promise  of  his  future  worth. 
He  was  proconsul  of  the  province  of  Asia.  On  his  return  to  Rome  lie  lived  with 
Hadrian,  who  adopted  him.  The  Senate  conferred  upon  him  the  title  of  Pius,  or 
the  "(hitifully  affectionate,"  because  he  persuaded  them  to  grant  to  his  fiither,  Ha- 
drian, the  apotheosis  which  they  had  at  first  refused. 

716.  Chalcedony- Onyx— Liwia.  and  Augustus. 

717.  Chalcedony — A  Greek  Poetess. 

718.  Chalcedony- Onyx — iEmilianus,  forty-third  Emperor  of  Rome. 

A  general  of  a  legion  who  on  the  death  of  Trebonianus  Gallus  and  Volusianus 
was  proclaimed  emperor.  He  was  of  dissolute  character,  and  the  dissatisfied  army 
had  him  assassinated. 

719.  Pale  Onyx— A  Faun. 


714  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

CASE    RR. 

720.  Onyx,  on  a  Tortoise-shell  Box — Germanicus,  nephew  of  Tiberius. 

Gennanicus  Ciesar,  though  not  emperor,  is  intimately  associated  in  liistory  with 
the  earliest  of  the  Desars.  Born  B.  c.  15,  he  was  adopted  by  his  uncle  Tiberius  while 
Augustus  was  still  emperor,  and  was  raised  at  an  early  age  to  high  honors.  He  was 
called  "  Germanicus  "  I'mra  his  brilliant  victories  over  the  Germans,  and,  being  a  great 
favorite  with  the  soldiers,  was  urged  by  them,  on  the  death  of  Augustus,  A.  D.  1-i,  to 
make  himself  emperor.  But  he  resisted  their  importunity,  and  succeeded  in  recon- 
ciling them  to  the  new  emperor,  his  uncle  Tiberius.  Tiberius  in  time  became  alarmed 
at  the  ever-growing  power  of  his  nephew  in  Germany  and  Gaul,  aud  A.  D.  17,  after 
giving  liim  a  triumph  in  Rome,  transferred  him  to  the  command  of  the  eastern  prov- 
inces of  the  Empire.  At'ter  many  successes  in  Armenia  and  Egypt,  Germanicus  died 
A.  D.  19,  not  without  suspicion  of  having  been  poisoned.  By  his  wife  Agrippina, 
granddaughter  of  Augustus,  Germanicus  had  nine  children,  among  whom  were  the 
Emperor  Caligula  and  Agrippina,  the  mother  of  the  Emperor  Xero.  Germanicus 
was  an  author  of  some  repute  and  wrote  several  poetical  works.  Portions  of  these 
still  remain,  the  latest  edition  being  that  by  Orilli,  Zurich,  18)51. 

721.  Onyx — Cupid. 

722.  Pnle  Sardonyx — Cicero,  the  Roman  orator,  b.  c.  10(j. 
72o.   Chakechiny-Onyx — A  Bearded  Mask. 

724.  Onyx — Virgil. 

725.  Pale  Sanloni/x— 'Pins  VII. 

726.  Coral — A  Bearded  Scenic  Mask. 

727.  Onyx — Cincinnatus  called  to  the  Dictatorship. 

728.  Sard — Zeno,  founder  of  the  Stoic  philoisojjhy. 
72!t.  Onyx — Incognito. 

730.  Onyx — A  Mimallone,  one  of  tlie  bacchantes  who  accompanied  Dionysus 

on  his  expeditions. 

731.  Agate-Onyx — Socrates,  Greek  pliilosopher. 

732.  Pale  Sard — Aristides. 

733.  Sardonyx — A  Philosopher. 

734.  Maculated  Jasper — Atreus,  King  of  Mycenae. 

He  is  killing  Pleisthenes,  the  son  of  Thyestes,  in  revenge  for  wrongs  inflicted  on 
him  by  Thyestes.     ^Erope,  his  wife,  is  endeavoring  to  save  the  other  child,  Tantalus. 

73.").   Onyx — Germanicus,  nephew  of  Tiberius. 

736.  Sardonyx — A  Roman-African  of  Carthage.     Tlie  jiart  of  bis  tostiinie  vis- 

ible is  the  abolla,  worn  l\v  the  soldiers. 

737.  Sardonyx — Archytas  of  Tarentum,  philosopher  aud  mathematician,  b.  c. 

400." 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  715 

738.   O111J.V — Diana,  the  goddess  of  Light. 
7o9.   Chalcedony- Onyx — -Medusa,  in  profile. 

740.  Agate-Onyx — Philammon,  a  Greek  poet. 

CASE    SS. 

741.  Alnhader — Vitellius,  eiglith  Emperor  of  Rome. 

He  was  proclaimed  bv  Ids  soldiers  at  Cologne  on  the  death  of  Galba,  A.  D.  69, 
but  reigned  less  than  one  year,  being  overthrown  by  Vespasian.  The  vices  of  \\ie\- 
lins  made  him  a  favorite  with  Tiberius,  Caligula,  and  Nero,  who  loaded  him  with 
favors.  His  only  talent  seemed  to  be  for  eating  and  drinking,  and  his  excesses  in 
this  line  seem  almost  incredible.  When  the  soldiers  of  ^'espasian  approached  Rome, 
Vitellius  hid  himself  in  a  sewer,  but  the  enraged  populace  found  him,  dragged  him 
out,  anil,  after  subjecting  him  to  every  kind  of  public  ignominy,  stabbed  liim  and 
threw  his  body  into  the  Tiber. 

742.  Onyx — A  Bearded  Mask. 

743.  Agate — Medusa,  set  in  a  bronze  brooch  of  the  second  century  A.  d. 

744.  Gray  Calcite — Epicurus. 

745.  Sardonyx — Orbiana,  wife  of  Alexander  Severus. 

746.  Agate — Hercules. 

747.  Onyx — Marcus  Junius  Brutus. 

748.  Sardonyx — Otho,  .seventh  Emperor  of  Rome. 

749.  Jasper — Homer. 

750.  Agate — A  Parthian  Slave. 

751.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Nero,  fifth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

752.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Livia,  wife  of  Augustus. 

Beautiful  macnlation  of  the  first  and  third  strata,  whilst  the  middle  or  second 
stratum  remains  pure  white  and  is  utilized  for  the  face. 

753.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Hercules. 

754.  Onyx — Geta,  twenty-fiftli  Emperor  of  Rome,  brother  of  C'aracalla,  by 

whom  he  was  assassinated  A.  d.  212. 

755.  Burnt  Chalcedony — An  Ethiopian  Woman. 

CASE    TT. 

756.  Serpentine— Hiogenes. 

757.  Burnt  Chalcedony — A  Nubian  Woman. 

758.  Gi-ay  Argillite — Abraham  and  Sara. 


716  SOMMERVTLLE   COLLECTION. 

Has  been  worn  as  an  aiiuilet :  tlie  holes  for  the  neckhaee  are  behind,  as  also  the 
remains  of  an  ancient  Clirislian  inscription — I'AX. 

759.  Gray  Alabastet — A  Philosopher. 

760.  Serpentine — A  Philosopher. 

761.  Solenliofeu  Stone — A  large  double  cameo:  on  the  olivei'se,  Raphael,  l>y 

Alhreeht  Diirer,  1514. 

762.  Planter  Iiiij)ns.<:iiiii.  of  Reverse  of  JVo.  761 — Albreclit  Diirer,  1524. 

763.  Rhone  iV^i/e— Philip  IV.  of  Spain. 

764.  Qrmj  Solenhofen  Stone— Toitinit  of  Joanes  Conradas,  dated  1553. 

765.  Rhone  Pebble — Incognito. 

CASE    UU. 

766.  Red  Calcile — A  Faun. 

767.  Serpentine — A  Bearded  Mask. 

768.  A  Cameo  on  a  eounnoii  pehlde. 

769.  Red  Calcile — A  Gorgon  Mask. 

770.  Rhone  Ai/^/e— Vitellius,  eighth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

771.  Rhone  Pebble — A  Persian  Head. 

772.  Purple  Calcile — Medusa. 

773.  Rhone  Pebble — St.  John  Preaching  in  the  Wilderness,  twelfth  to  thir- 

teenth century. 

774.  Jasper  Pebhk — An  Amulet,  with  curious   intaglio  on   the  rever.se,  with 

two  profile  face.s  kis:<iiig,  forming  together  a  third  face. 

775.  PliiMcr  Iiiijircxsion  of  Reverse  of  No.  774. 

776.  Solciihofrii  Sloiic — A  Tablet,  with  an  interesting  Latin  inscription. 

On  the  obverse:  NON  .SOI.VM  NO  |  BIS  NATI  SVMVS  |  OUTVSIJVKNOSTRI   |  PAItTEM 
I'ATHIA  SI   I  III  VENDICAT  PARTEM  |  PARENTES  PARTEM  AMICI — "Not   alone  for  OH  r- 

selves  were  we  born  ;  and  of  onr  birth  our  eonntry  claims  for  itself  a  part,  our  parents 
a  part,  onr  friends  a  part"  (vendicat  for  vindicat)  ;  and  on  the  reverse  an  inscription, 
MORTIS  MORE.S  OMNIBUS  iEcjUALEs.  This  is  one  of  those  pecniiar  ma.xims  so  often 
found  in  the  Latin  language,  as  it  is  employed  in  epitapiis.  The  simplest  manner 
in  which  to  present  the  various  forms  in  which  it  can  be  translated  is  as  follows : 

f  manners  1 

"The  -!   '•""'"'""      •  of  Death  •[  "^'^  ]  equal  for  all." 
usage  I  IS    ) 

[  law 
Death  is  here  personified,  as  was  Peace,  Justice,  Concord,  etc.  by  the  Romans. 

777.  Plaster  Inipressio)t  of  Reverse  of  No.  776. 


GREEK  AND  ROMAN   CAMEOS.  717 

CASE    VV. 

778.  Pulpa  di  Fraiicia,  a  stone  peculiar  to  France — Apollo. 

779.  Pearl — A  Bacchante. 

780.  Agate- Oil y.i- — A  Warrior  with  Shield  and  Lance. 

781.  Sardo)nj.v — Julius  Caesar,  dictator  b.  c.  100-44. 

Assassinated  in  the  Senate  Chamber  by  Brutus,  Cassius,  and  others  after  lie  had 
almost  reached  the  .supreme  power.  While  in  Egypt  he  had,  by  Cleopatra,  a  son 
called  Cjesariou. 

782.  Rhone  Pebble — A  Warrior  with  Dolphin  Helmet. 

783.  Red  Calcite — A  Mask. 

784.  Composife  Marble — Iacobvs.  g.  de  carraeia.  i.  pat.  d.  :  axxam  gra- 

Doxico.  vx.  DVXIT.    Expaiiiliiitr  abbreviations:  iacobv.s  g[rimaldi?] 

DE   CAREAHIA    |[n]    PAT[rIMOXIVm]    ]>[(IMIXAM]    ANXAM    (JRADOXICO- 

[xEM?]  vx[oiiEM]  nvxiT — JacobiLs  G[i-inialdi  ?]  ile  ("arrara  brought 
into  hi.s  paternal  family  (or  estate),  as  a  wife,  the  lady  Anna  Gradonieo. 

785.  Red  Calcite — Head  of  Agrippa. 

786.  Alabaster  Gypsum — Incognito. 

787.  Oii>i.c — Julia,   daughter   of    Augustus   (not    by   Livia),  wife   of  JIarcus 

Agrippa,  grand  admiral. 

She  was  too  iirofligate,  so  Augustus  put  her  on  the  island  I'anuataria  to  keep 
her  from  the  courtiers. 

788.  Bark-red  Calcite— A  Scenic  Mask. 

789.  Yelloiv  Calcite — Diogenes,  the  (ireek  philosopher.     Broken  and  repaired. 

790.  Tenera — Aristides. 

791.  Alabaster  on  Verd-AntiqueSeneca..     "  Nou  quam  multa,  sed  quam  mul- 

tum." 

CASE    WW. 

792.  This  curious  object  in  three  substances  is  coiuposed  of  Soleuhofen  stone, 

iron-wood,  and  shtte.     Probably  Minerva. 

793.  Obsidian — A   Scenic  Mask,   an   amulet   from  a   necklace   of  the  second 

century. 

794.  Obsidian— A  Scenic  Mask,   an   amulet   from   a  necklace   of  the  second 

century. 

795.  Malach  ite — Mercury. 

796.  Chalcedony — Portrait,  with  the  pallium  or  ermine  cape. 


718  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1%1.  Egyptian  Jasper — Incognito. 

798.  Red  Jasper — Pallas. 

799.  Sar(lo)ii/x — Semiramis,  the  daugliter  of  tlie  goddess  of  Dereeto  of  Ascaloii 

in  Syria. 

Slie  was  deserted  by  Iiei'  luntlier  and  brimglit  up  by  the  cliief  sliejilierd  of  tlie 
royal  lierds.  by  name  Siiimias,  from  whom  slie  derived  the  name  of  Semirami-s.  She 
was  distingiiislied  for  lier  bravery  in  the  siege  of  Bactra.  81ie  i)lanne<l  an  attack  on 
the  citadel,  and  with  a  few  l>rave  followers  captnred  it. 

800.  Ar/afe — Incognito.     Very  fine :  signed  Wilgot. 

801.  Sardonyx — Jupiter. 

802.  Agate-Oiii/.i-  —CloAone,  a  bacchante. 

803.  Agate — Mercury. 

804.  Obsidian — A  Scenic  Mask.     Etliiojiian  features.     From  a  necklace  of  the 

second  century. 

805.  Sard — Hercules. 

806.  Jasper — Frederick  the  Great. 

807.  Onyx — Heliogabalus,  twenty-eighth  Emperor  of  Rome. 


T  E  X  E  R  .E . 

CASE   XX. 

808.  Red  Cakite — An  Egyptian  Priestess. 

809.  Alabader—A.  Warrior  with  Shield. 

810.  Alabaster — Nero,  tiftli  Emperor  of  Rome,  and  Poppsea,  his  ■\vife. 

Poppa'a,  wife  of  Otho,  and  afterward  of  Nero,  was  a  beantifnl  woman.  She  died 
in  conserpience  of  a  kick  from  Xero. 

811.  Aliibasier — Julius  Caesar. 

812.  Ahibaster — Julia  Mamsea,  daughter  of  .Julia  M:c.<a  and  motlier  of  Alex- 

ander Severn.-;. 

An  excellent  and  learned  woman.  She  gave  a  g I  edncalicm  to  her  son.  Alex- 
ander Severns,  and  connsclled  him  in  state  affairs  after  1*  liecame  emperor.  Both 
she  and  her  son  are  repnted  to  have  been  instriictcil  liy  the  Christian  iihilosojilier 
Origen,  and  to  have  been  believers  in  Christ. 

813.  Alabdder — Lysimachus,  with  (ireek  signature,  ItEJLt. 

814.  Alabaster — Julius  Caesar. 


TENER^.  71!) 


815.  AlahaMer — Achilles. 

81  fi.  Transferred  to  No.  825,  Case  ZZ. 


CHINESE. 


CASE    YY. 
817.  Jade— A  Heron,  Fruit,  and  Flowers. 

SIS.  AguliiKitolite — "A  merry  old  Chiiuiman  was  he." 
8U).  Black  Juclc—A.  Bird  with  Rich  Plumage. 


TENER^. 

CASE    ZZ. 


820.  A  Woman  (Cinque-cento). 

821.  A  Cowry,  with  cameo  ornamentation — shell  money. 

822.  A  Moor. 

823.  Two  Heads,  in  helmet  and  turban. 

824.  A  Bearded  Head. 

825.  Pa.-<fe—A  Faun. 

826.  Conchiglin — A  Bearded  Moor. 
fs27.  A  Bearded  Head. 

828.  Three  remarkably  dissimilar  Heads,  cut  on  the  strata  of  one  piece  of 

conchiglia. 

829.  Ci>}irhiriH<i — Jacob  and  Rachel. 

830.  A  Bearded  Head. 

831.  Zenobia  and  Odenathus  of  Palmyra. 

832.  Romulus,  Remus,  and  the  She-Wolf. 

833.  A  Cowry,  with  cameo  ornamentation — shell  money. 

834.  A  Philosopher. 

835.  CiiiK-liiiiliit — Mercury  and  a  Nymph. 

836.  A  Wild-Boar  Hunt.     A  specimen  of  carving  in  pearl. 

837.  Mother-oJ- Pearl — A  Landscape,  with  cow. 


720  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

838.  Mother-of-Pearl — A  Landscape,  with  cow. 

839.  An  Oriental  Bearded  Head. 

840.  Coiichlgli<( — -A  Bearded  Moor. 

841.  A  Greek  Philosopher. 

842.  A  Bearded  Head. 


INTAGLIOS   AND   THEIR   IMPRINTS. 

CASE    AAA. 

843.  Bofk  Crystal — Portrait  of  Carlo  Borromeo,  cut  abuut  the  close  of  the  fif- 

teenth eentiu'v,  and  the  pure  gold  mounting  i.s  also  known  to  be  of 
149.5 — about  the  time  Columbus  discovered  America.  Interesting 
specimen  of  work  of  that  epoch. 

A.  Plaster  Lnpressiou  of  No.  SlfS. 

844.  Sard — A   Juggler,   keeping  several   disks   in'  suspension.     The  work  is 

Etruscan. 

B.  Plaster  Lnpress'wn  of  No.  SJf-i- 

845.  CarneUan — Silenus  on  an  Ass.     Very  fine. 

C.  Planter  Impression  of  No.  843. 

84(3.  Sard — Helmeted  Warrior. 

D.  Pla-iter  Impression  of  No.  8Jfi. 

847.  Pale  Sard — Incognito. 

E.  Plasti'r  Imjirissiiiii  (f  No.  8^7. 

848.  Oiii/.r — .ffineas  Escaping  from  Burning  Troy,  can ying  his  father  Anchises 

on  his  siioulders,  followed  by  the  youth  Ascanius,  his  .son. 

F.  Plaster  Liijircssioii  of  No.  SJ^S. 

849.  Tinted  Crystal — Extremely  fine  intaglio.     Amor  and  a  Cock. 

G.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  SJ^O. 

8.50.   Onij.i- — Peacocks,  Juno's  special  favorites. 
H.   J'taMer  Impression  of  No.  850. 

8-51.   Onij.r — A  Bearded  Mask. 

J.  Pl<ister  Impri'ssion  if  Na.  8'>1. 

852.  Jacinth — The  Flying  Horse  Pegasus. 
K.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  852. 


INTAGLIOS  AXD    THEIR  IMPRIXTH.  721 

853.  Ccmteliuii — A  Bacchanalian,  pouring  out  a  vase  of  wine  on  an  animal's 

liead. 
L.  PUister  Impres-von  of  No.  853. 

854.  CarneUan — Hylas.     A  youtli  of  the  Argonautic  Expedition  who  went  for 

water,  ami  the  Xvmphs,  taken  with  love  for  him,  pulled  him  into  the 
spring.     It  is  not  stated  what  became  of  the  dog. 
M.   Gutta-perclia  Iiiipre.i)slon  of  No.  So4. 

855.  CarneUan — Scipio  .Smelianus,  Roman  eonsul  b.  c.  114. 
N.  Plader  Impreaxlon  of  No.  S-J-J. 

CASE    BBB. 

856.  Bock  C»-(/.*fnZ— Head  of  Christ,  fifteenth  eentury. 

A.  Plasfer  Impremon  of  No.  S'/ii. 

857.  Jasper — A  magic  or  talisnmnie  stone.     Jupiter  Serapis  standing  on  the 

left,  holding  in  his  right  hand  le  eroix  misee,  the  baton  or  crook  with  a 
looped  handle,  as  employed  l)y  the  Egyptians,  and  behjw  him  at  the 
right  the  bust  of  Isis.     Greek  inscription  : 

cnA 
TAea/ 

To  be  read  CnATAGuJ,  "for  a  good  deed" — /.  e.  in  recognition  of  ben- 
efit; or,  possiblv,  ^jro  hono  pour  bonlunr. 
Of  great  value,  very  interesting  antique.  .\  ciipy  of  it  has  been  retained  by 
Monsieur  Kdnioml  Le  Blant,  e.x-president  of  the  Academie  des  Inscriptions  de  I'ln- 
stitnt  de  France,  and  director  of  tlie  Archa?ological  College  of  France  in  the  Farnesi 
Palace  at  Rome,  to  whom  I  have  been  indebted  through  many  years  for  valualjle 
friendship  and  information  in  Paris  and  in  Home. 

B.  Plaster  Impre«!<ioii  of  No.  So7. 

858.  <SVu-c/ — Intaglio.     (Edipus  and  the  Sphinx. 

Gidipus  was  the  son  of  Laius  of  Thebes,  wlio  was  warned  by  an  oracle  that  he 
would  have  a  son  who  would  turn  his  hand  against  his  father.  When  Qidipus  was 
born,  his  father  pierced  and  tied  his  feet  together  and  abandoned  him  ;  a  shephei-d 
found  him,  and  on  account  of  his  swollen  feet  named  him  (JCdipus.  When  he  became 
a  vonth  he  encountered  the  Sphinx,  knowing  that  should  he  conquer  it  he  would  be 
rewarded  with  a  throne.  The  Sphinx  gave  him  a  riddle  which  he  solved.  The 
Sphinx,  enraged,  cast  herself  from  her  rocky  pedestal,  and  was  slain  by  CEdipns,  who 
was  proclaimed  king  of  Thebes.     (See  "Campagna  and  Oil-dealer,"  page  388.) 

C.  Plader  Iinj)remon  of  No.  S5S. 

859.  Yellow  Ja.-tper — Intaglio.     Minerva. 

Presented  l)y  Dr.  Joseph  Leidy  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

D.  Plader  Impresdon  of  No.  S60. 


722  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

8G0.   CarneUan — Intaglio.    A  Warrior  Returning  with  Trophies  of  Armor. 

E.  PliMter  Imprefssloti  of  ]Vo.  860. 

861.  Eld  Jasjier — Intaglio.  A  Cock  Striving  with  Cupid  for  a  Bunch  of  Grapes. 

F.  Plader  Impresduii  of  Xu.  SOI. 

862.  Bed  Jaaper — Intaglio.     A  Fawn  Feeding  from  a  Tree. 

G.  P/iixfir  Impression  of  No.  862. 

863.  Cariie/i<(ii — Intaglio.     Minerva,  with  embellished  shield. 
H.  Pla.der  Iinpremion  of  No.  86d. 

864.  Oiui-v — Intaglio.   Artemisia,  wife  of  !Mausolns,  King  of  C'aria,  Asia  Minor, 

with  the  ashe.-;  of  her  husband  in  a  va.se  of  gold. 

Slu'  huilt  u  tniiib  in  tlie  city  of  Halicani;\ssLi.s  and  called  it  Mausoleo,  lience  tlie 
word  "  muusoleum."     Tlii.s  .stone  has  been  injured  b_v  fire. 

J.  Plaxter  Impression  of  No.  864. 

865.  Pale  S(ird — An  Etruscan  intaglio.     Dog,  etc. 
K.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  865. 

866.  Sard — Wild  Boar  and  Young. 
L.  Plaster  Imjiressioii  if  Na.  S(:6. 

867.  Chalcedony — The  Oriental  Sun. 
M.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  867. 

868.  Sardoiiijx — Helmeted  Head  of  a  Wallachian  Soldier. 
N.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  SOS- 
CASK   ccc. 

869.  Jade — Triumph  of  Silenus.     Eight  figures  are  visilde. 

.'Siieniis  is  seated  on  an  ass,  his  favorite  means  of  transport.  There  is  also  some 
Abra.xas  inscription.     A  superb  specimen. 

A.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  869. 

87(1.  An  Intaglio  on  Sardony.r. 

This  archaic  intaglio,  with  No.  933,  Case  GGG,  is  one  of  the  most  enrions  and 
interesting,  not  only  of  my  collection,  but  of  all  intaglios  ever  found.  It  gives  us  the 
tradition  of  the  naming  of  the  days  of  the  week,  to  be  iniderstood  as  follows,  more 
easily  explained  in  French  for  evident  rea.sons.     Observing  the  impression, 

The  first  day  at  the  left  is  h,  Saturnus,  Snmrdi — Saturday. 

The  second  and  ne.xt  figure  is  3,  Helios  or  Solis,  Dimunelie — Sunday. 

The  third  and  next  figure  is  L,  Luna,  Luncli — Monday. 

Tlie  fourth  and  next  figure  is  M,  Mars,  Mardi — Tuesday. 

The  fifth  and  next  figure  is  M,  Jlercurius,  Mercredi — Wednesday. 

The  sixth  and  next  figure  is  I,  Jove  or  .Jupiter,  Jeudi — Thursday. 

The  seventh  and  next  figure  is  V,  Venus,   Veiidredi — Friday. 


INTAGLIOS  AND   THEIR   IMPRINTS.  723 

Wliere  tliis  tradition  lias  been  found  in  bronze  or  iron  or  gold,  it  is  often  accom- 
panied by  an  eighth  figure,  Ivx'i  (Tuke),  or  Bonus  Eventus,  "  the  day  of  good  for- 
tune."    (See  also  No.  933,  Case  GGG,  and  "Rome,"  page  393.) 

B.  Plader  Impremion  of  No.  8T0. 

871.  »S'«re/ — Tarquinius,  the  Superb,  di^tdveriiii;-  a  human  head  on  the  occasion 

of  the  t'()iin(latii)n-\vurk  at  the  Capitoleuni. 

C.  Plaster  Impre-mon  of  No.  S71. 

872.  Green  Jasper — Cheiron,  the  wi.sest  and  most  just  of  all  the  Centaurs  or 

Hippocentaurs ;  friend  and  relative  of  Pelcus,  father  of  Acliilies. 

lie  was  instructed  by  Apollo  and  Artemis,  and  renowned  for  his  skill  in  hiintin;,', 
gymnastics,  and  even  the  art  of  propliecy.   Inscription  :  placidis — coeant — i Ji jmitia. 

D.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  87~. 

873.  Amethijd — A  Seal,  with  inscription. 

E.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  873. 

874.  Carnelian — Incognito. 

F.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  874. 

875.  Heliotrope — Silenus  Instructing  Bacchus. 

G.  Plaster  Intpres.-iiim  if  Nu.  ■V,'"-7. 

870.   Carnelian — A  Philosopher  Studying  a  Manuscript. 
H.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  870. 

877.  Pale  Sard — Carita. 

J.  Plaster  Impre-ssion  of  No.  877. 

878.  Sardoinjx — An  Ancient  Seal,  with  the  inscription  babylo. 

879.  Carnelian — Ceres,  by  Pickler,  and  signed  in  Greek  by  him. 

The  finest  intaglio  in  ray  collection. 
K.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  879. 

880.  Sard — An  ancient  gymnastic  troupe.     Nymphs  Exercising. 
L.  Plaster  Imjjression  of  No.  880. 

881.  Plasma  of  Emerald— ¥a,ith. 
M.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  881. 

882.  Sard — A  fanciful  antique  seal.     Insects,  Birds,  and  Crocodiles. 
N.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  882. 

883.  Sard — A  Figure  of  Victory.     Archaic  intaglio. 
O.  Plaster  Iiiijir's.tioii  if  No.  8S-J. 

884.  Sard — Abundance. 

P.  Gutta-percha  Impression  of  No.  884. 


724  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

885.  Emerald — Fortuna. 

Q.  Pkuter  Liijji-e-^--</(jii  nf  Xo.  8S5. 

886.  Carnelkm — Cornucopia,  the  full  horn  of  abundance. 
R.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  SS6. 

CASE    DDD. 

887.  Red  Jasper — Protogenis,  a  conipdiaii  of  the  .second  century,  with  a  nia>k, 

plavins:  the  character  of  ]Meleager,  the  wild-boar  hunter.     Engraved 
in  his  time. 

A.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  SS7. 

888.  Yellow  Chalcedoinj — Augustus,  Mark  Antony,  and  Lepidus. 

B.  Plaster  Impres^iaii  (f  Ni.  S8S. 

889.  Sapphire — A  Scorpion.     Intaglio.     An  amulet  protecting  the  wearer  from 

the  sting  of  the  living  arachnid. 

C.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  SS9. 

890.  Plasma  of  Emerald — Equita.     Justice  with  the  true  balance. 

D.  Plaster  Impression  if  No.  S'.iQ. 

891.  Carnelian — Pomona  Dropping  Fruit. 

The  Roman  divinity  of  the  fruit  of  trees,  e;illed  Ponionmi  I'atrona.     A  special 
priest,  muler  tlie  name  of  Flamen  I'oinonalis,  attended  to  her  service. 

E.  Plaster  Imj)res.',ioii  if  No.  SOI. 

892.  Emerald — Ceres,  with  a  stalk  of  wheat  in  hand. 

F.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  893. 

893.  Carnelian — fJroup  of  Silenus,  a  Bacchante,  and  a  Candidate  fur  admis- 

sion to  the  Bacchic  niy.steries.     An  intaglin. 

G.  Pla-iter  Imprrsssion  of  No.  89-1. 

894.  Amethy.it — The   Centaur   Nessus   carrying   Leianira,    wife   of   Hercules, 

across  the  river  Evemis.     An  intaglio. 
Nessus  was  shot  witli  an  arrow  ]ioisnned  with  the  bile  of  tlie  Lernean  Hydra. 
Tlie  Cupids  are  accessories,  being  symbolical  of  tlie  Centaur's  love. 

H.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  894. 

895.  A  Bare  Pale  Jarinth — The  Genius   of  the  Sun.     Exijuisitely  beautiful 

intaglio. 
J.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  895. 

896.  Green  Ja.v;^/-— Intaglio.     Psyche's  Butterfly  driving  Juno's  Peacock. 

K.   Piaster  Imj^ression  of  No.  S96. 


GOLD  niXGS—IXTAGLIOS.  725 

897.  Cnrncliaa — Lucius  Verus,  seventeenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 
L.  Planter  Impression  of  No.  897. 

898.  Camc/iaii — Philammon,  a  Greek  poet. 
j\I.  Planter  Impression  of  Xo.  898. 

899.  Jacinth — Victory.     Greek. 
N.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  899. 


GOLD   RINGS— INTAGLIOS. 

CASE    EEE. 

900.  Sard — Intaglio  ring.     Hieronymus,  after  his   first  conquest   of  Tliebes, 

arriving  with  an  animal  fur  sacrifice  in  honor  of  his  success,  as  evinced 
by  the  trophies  which  are  dis23layed.  The  altar  is  seen  on  the  left  dec- 
orated with  a  garland. 

A.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  900. 

901.  Sard — Intaglio  ring.     A  Bull. 

A  magnificent  incision  by  the  renowned  Dioscorides,  a  Greek  gem-engraver  of 
the  time  of  the  Emperor  Angiistiis,  whose  portrait  he  engraved;  wliich  gem  was 
used  hy  Augustus  and  several  of  liis  successors  as  their  signet. 

B.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  901. 

902.  Sard — Isis,   the  Egyptian  goddess   of  the  Earth  and  afterward  of  the 

Moon. 

Especially  the  patroness  of  the  cultivation  of  wheat. 

C.  Pla-iter  Impression  of  Xo.  902. 

903.  Carnelian — Pudicitia,  a  personification  of  Modesty,  worshipped  in  Greece 

and  at  Rome. 

In  the  latter  city  women  flocked  to  the  two  sanctuaries  where  this  statue  was 
enshrined,  but  no  woman  who  had  been  married  twice  was  allowed  to  touch  it. 

T>.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  903. 

904.  Carnelian,  with  a  film  of  white  on  the  surface.     This  .style  of  intaglio, 

cut  on  a  very  thin  stratum  of  white  over  a  red  or  other  thicker  stratum, 
is  called  a  nieolo.  This  one  has  suffered  from  fire. — The  figure  on  the 
right  with  a  bow  is  Diana  (Luna) ;  on  the  left  is  Apollo  (the  8un). 
The  star  in  the  centre  indicates  that  they  ai"e  deities  of  constellations. 
E.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  904. 

905.  Red  Ja.->])er — Venus  Verticordia,  the  goddess  who  turns  the  hearts  of  luen. 


726  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION^. 

It  will  lie  noticed  that  the  cap  on  her  head  is  like  that  of  a  man.     There  even 
was  a  bearded  Venus. 

F.  Plaster  Lnprexsion  of  Xo.  90'>. 

906.  Omj.i- — A  frtiniiiLMit  (if  an  antiiiiie  Rdinaii  iniii  ring  with  onyx  intaglio. 

The  City  of  Kome,  holding  a  tigure  of  Victory  in  Iter  hand.     Inter- 
esting antique. 

G.  Plmter  Lnpres^ioii  of  No.  000. 

907.  Sard — Dissection  of  an  Animal's  Body  after  a  Sacrifice. 
H.  Plmter  Intpression  of  Xo.  -''f /". 

908.  Jacinth — Cybele  or   Berecyntia,   al^o  known  as  M(tdre  Montogrm,  "the 

iniiuntain-iudther,"  also  as  Miidre  Mai/iia,  "great  mother." 
Cybele  is  seated  on  her  throne,  and  holds  in  her  right  hand  a  tambourine;  two 
lions,  one  on  either  side  of  her  throne.  Observe  the  e.x<inisite  fineness  of  the  three 
ornamental  turrets  surmounting  her  castellated  crown.  The  lion  was  sacred  to  the 
Mother  of  the  tJods,  because  Cybele  was  the  divinity  of  the  earth  and  the  lion  was 
considered  the  most  iiowerfid  of  all  animals  on  earth.  She  is  usually  represented 
seated  on  a  throne.     I  have  a  gem  on  wliich  she  is  driving  her  lions  in  a  chariot. 

J.  Plaster  Lnpression  of  No.  908. 

909.  <S't(ii/— The  Bonus  Eventus,  patron  of  agriculture.     Rude  but  antique  and 

interesting. 

The  same  subject  may  be  seen  in  the  centre  figure  of  No.  930,  Case  GGG. 
K.  Planter  Lnpression  of  No.  909. 

910.  Sard— A.  Horse  with  Colt;  Geese,  Chickens,  etc.     Very  fine  intaglio. 
L.  Plaster  Lnpr&ssion  of  No.  910. 

911.  Plasma  of  Emerald — Titus,  tenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 
M.  Plmter  Liipression  of  No.  911. 

912.  (Sard— Hercules  Fighting  the  Lernean  Hydra,  which  had  nine  lieads— the 

second  of  the  Twelve  Labors  of  Hercules.     (See  "  Rome,"  page  395.) 
N.  Plaster  Lnpression  of  No.  912. 

CASE   FFF. 

913.  >S«kZ— Ptolemaeus  Philadelphus  and  Arsinoe,  his  wife.    She  was  also  his 

sister,  b.  c.  279.     A  Greek  intaglio. 

A.  Plaster  Lnpress!o7i  of  No.  913. 

914.  Ametkyst—Co-w  and  Calf.     Exquisitely  tine  intaglio. 

B.  Plaster  Ltipresstnn  of  No.  914. 

915.  0;(^.c— Intaglio  ring.     The  Seal  of  a  liberated  .slave,  b.  v.  '200. 

Philogenis  was  the  slave  of  Lucius  Ennius.     When  enfranchised  by  his  master. 


GOLD   niXaS—TXTAGLTOS.  727 

he  was  permittwl  ikiI  only  to  possess  a  seal,  but  I'ldiii  the  insciii)tion  thereon  (  Pilod. 
KsNi.  L.  L.)  we  leain  that  lie  also  combined  pait  of  his  master's  name  witli  his 
own;  and  this  his  seal  reads  "  Kiniiiis  Philogenis  liberated  bv  Lucius  Enniiis."     It 
was  written  "  Pilogene"  in  the  arclniic  form,     i  See  ''  Kotne,"  pa^e  390.) 
C   Plii'^tfi'  Iinpri'ssioii  iij   \o.  92o. 

1)1().  P<ile  X(/«/— Vittimario. 

Amoni;  the  Rotnans  of  the  secoml  and  tliird  centuries  tliis  was  an  officer  who 
superintended  the  sacrifices,  especially  those  of  the  arena  and  the  Colossenm  ;  he 
made  ready  the  knives,  water,  and  lire;  he  prepared  the  Christian  victims,  and  after 
their  agonies  were  terminated  he  removed  their  Ixidies.  washed,  and  sprinkled  them 
with  Hour  to  cimceal  the  hideous  wounds  made  by  the  wild  animals.  His  costume 
was  characterized  by  a  lar.se  and  peculiar  apron  called  the  li'ii)ii.<,  and  he  carried  the 
baton  of  an  executioner,  which  is  over  his  shoiddcr. 

D.  Phixtir  linj)ri'>i><ii)ii  nj  Xa.  ■''/'/. 

917.  Si(nl — Hercules  traiisportiiig  the  Erymanthiiiii  boar  from  Mount  Ery- 
maiithiLs  to  Kurystlifiis  in  Mycen;e — tlic  fourth  of  the  Twelve  Labors 
of  Hercules. 

llerciiles  liail  cliaseil  the  boar  through  deep  snow  until,  weakened  by  fatigue,  he 
c.iptured  liini. 

E.  Plaxtcr  Impre%-tion  of  Xo.  917. 

91«.  Siii-ddiKj.i- — Jupiter  Toiians,  with  an  effigy  of  Victory  in  his  extended 
hand. 

F.  Plasiijf  Imprcx.iion  of  Xi.  '-ilS. 

019.  Red  Jasper — Apollo,  haviiiir  eonniiered  the  serpent  Pytlion,  hiys  a.side  his 
arms,  and  regard.s  Python  suspended  on  a  young  olive  tree.  Beautiful 
intaglio. 

G.  Pla4er  Ii}ipri^--<--<iiiii  nf  Xa.  I' Hi. 

920.  Sard — Jupiter  Serapis,  seated  on  a  throne;  on  either  side  Castor  and  Pol- 

lux. 

Oljserve  the  fineness  of  the  drawing  and  execution,  especially  in  the  side  figures 
and  their  horses. 

H.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  9M. 

921.  Sard — Adam  and  Eve,  with  the  legend  elai;  |  adba  |  kli  (Syro-Hebraie 

in  Konian  letters),  meaning  "  God  [is]  Father.     [O]  Father,  luy  God." 
J.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  921. 

922.  -S'-nv/— Liomedes  Carrying  off  the  Effigy  of  Minerva  from  Troy. 

It  was  thought  Trov  never  could  be  completely  mastered  and  taken  until  the 
efligy  of  Minerva,  its  patron,  could  be  removed;  heiue  the  expedition  and  the  inci- 
dent of  Diomedes.  I  (See  Xo.  0-17.)  This  very  antique  intaglio,  though  so  minute,  i^ 
rendered  with  the  fidl  front  face  of  Diomedes,  which  greatly  augments  its  value. 

K.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  9J2. 

34 


728  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

923.  Macnhdrd  Sard — Lucius  the  Golden  Ass,  with  tlie  two  l)ri)thprs,  si-rvnnts 

of  Tliyu.'^us  of  Corinth. 

He  i.s  liere  reiiresented  wlien  being  instructed  to  staiul   uiniglit  liy  one  of  (lie 
servajits  of  Thyasns.     (See  "Lucius,"  page  409.) 
L.   P/nxter  lmprt'.-<sio)i  of  Xo.  923. 

924.  Cliiilct'doiNi,  tiiii/ril  uitli  Sapjilun-  Calar — Pompey,  one  of  Julius  C';es:tr's 

fir.«t  triumvirate,  consisting  of  Pompey,  Crassus,  ami  Jiiliii.'^  C\esar.     A 
ring  from  the  collection  of  the  late  Professor  Hoiiiilorf  of  ^Miinster. 
j\l.   Planter  Ln]tres!<i'on  of  No.  924. 

92.J.  Sitrdiiinj.r — Trajan,  thirteenth  Emperor  of  Koine. 

This  ring  reminds  nie  how  often  and  how  much  I  luive  heen  indebted  to  the 
courteous  attention  of  Monsieur  Lavoix,  conservateur  adjoint  of  tlie  Salle  des  Me 
dailies  et  Pierres  gravees,  in  the  Bibliotheqne  Nationale,  Paris— how  freelv  he  has 
opened  cases  of  valuable  antique  gems,  enabling  me  to  coinpaie  and  make  researches. 

N.  I'lader  Lnpre.moii  of  No.  925. 

CASE    GGG. 

026.    Chalcedony-Ony.v — A  Cameo.     In   relief  and  in  intaglio:   the  outer  .ser- 
pent is  cameo,  in  relief;  the  cock,  etc.,  in  the  centre,  intaglio. 
The  outer  serpent  is  a  Bisa  swallowing  his  own  tail — Kternity.   Centre,  a  cock — 
Vigilance.     And  a  Bazilisco,  the  serpent  hatched  liy  a  hen. 

A.  Pluxter  Imprexylon  of  No.  926. 

927.  Agate-Onyx — Hyacinthus,  the  youngest  son  of  .\niychis.  a  Spartan  king. 

He  was  beautifully  formed,  and  was  accidentally  killed  by  .Vpollo  while  playing 
the  game  of  discus  or  quoits. 

B.  P/a.'<tci-  IiHpn'A^ion  of  No.  927. 

928.  Pale  Sard — Cybele,  deity  of  the  Earth,  on  a  ilccoratcd  car  drawn  by  two 

elej^hants,  with  riders,  etc.     Sujjerbly  Hue  intaglio. 
In  this  car  we  also  see  the  signification  Kternity.     Such  cars  were  used  for  the 
fimerals  of  some  of  the  Roman  emperors. 

C  Pluder  Lnpre.moii  of  No.  928. 

929.  Rock  Crystal— Gem. 

D.  Planter  Lnpremon  of  No.  929. 

930.  S<irdoiiy.r — The  Private  Seal  of  Qiiintus  Julius  or  .hinins  Insignis. 

The  figures  represent  three  protecting  divinilics.  On  the  left,  .Jupiter  seated, 
holding  the  asla  or  spear  in  one  hand  and  in  the  other  tlie  jiatera.  In  the  centre,  Tuke, 
the  Boii>u<  KveiiUi!',  holding  a  spear  of  grain  in  his  right  hand,  and  with  the  left  hand 
piresenting  the  patera  to  Ceres,  who  is  seated,  having  grain  and  fruit  in  her  hand.  A 
beautiful  antique  intaglio.  Monsieur  Longperier  of  TAcadcmie  des  Inscriptions, 
Paris,  studied  this  gem  with   much  interest  shttrtly  liefore  his  decease. 


GOLD  RiyG>;^INTAGLTOS.  729 

Adrien  Longperier  was  one  of  the  greatest  savants  of  France,  vet  in  liis  mien 
and  bearing  as  unassuming  as  a  child.  Wiili  pleasure  I  here  note  this  tribute  to  his 
precious  meniorv  in  gratitude  tor  wliat  I  so  often  learned  in  intercourse  with  him  at 
the  Academic  during  the  last  years  of  his  life.  I  pos.sess  his  autographs  and  draw- 
ings made  in  the  study  of  Abraxas,  Pelilevi,  and  other  gems. 

E.  Pla.-<ter  Iiiiprfsswn  of  Xii.  9S0. 

931.  Sard — Take,  the  Bonux  Eveidm,  holdiuir  in  the  ridit  hand  two  ears  of 

wheat,  and  in  the  left  the  patera. 

F.  Hader  Iiiijjremon  of  No.  931. 

932.  Plasma  of  Emendd — Venus   Victrix,    whose   worship   was   founded    by 

Ciesar. 

G.  Pla.<ter  Impremon  of  No.  932. 

933.  t'hakedoiiy,  tinged  with  ScqijMre  Color. 

This  intaglio,  like  Xo.  870,  Case  CCC,  gives  the  tradition  of  the  names  of  the 
week ;  that  is,  the  deities  from  whom  they  were  named.  The  three  Itirger  figures  are 
the  three  Capitoliue  divinities — .Jupiter,  Juno,  and  Minerva.  This  is  a  highly 
interesting  antitiue.  The  stone  is  beautiful  on  account  of  the  pale  saiii>hire  tint 
which   tinges  the  Oriental  chalcedony. 

H.  Planter  Lii]tr)x.<io)t  of  Xo.  933. 

934.  Garnet  Cahochoii — A  Bearded  Mask,  Ronian. 
J.  Plaster  Imj/rexgion  of  No.  934- 

935.  Surd — Silenus.     A  fine  antique  intaglio. 
K.  Plader  Imjjrexxion  of  No.  935. 

93(j.  Carnelian — Charon,  pas.sing  over  the  8tyx  in  his  hark  to  conduct  the  soids 
after  deatli  to  Avernus.  Ob.serve  the  bird  in  one  hand  and  tlie  flames 
in  the  other. 

A  soul  is  represented  converted  into  the  form  of  a  bird,  which  is  already  begin- 
ning to  sufier  the  torment  of  eternal  fire,  as  is  seen  by  the  burning  Hames.  Tiie  fig- 
ures seated  above  are  other  souls,  awaiting  the  return  of  eharon  in  order  to  be  trans- 
ported to  Averims.  This  is  a  unique  Roman  intaglio  of  the  second  century,  and  a 
highly  interesting  subject. 
L.  Plader  Iinj/rex.iion  of  No.  936. 

937.  Sardony.r — Young  Hercules. 
]\I.  Plaster  ImpresBion  of  No.  937. 

938.  Sird — A  Ceremony  of  the  Ancient  Jewish  Church. 
X.  Pladei-  Impremion  of  No.  938. 

939.  Sard — Demosthenes,  tlie  greatest  of  the  Greek  orators,  about  380  b.  f.     A 

fragment  re.-tored  with  gold. 
( ),  Plaster  Impre-mon  of  No.  939. 


730  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTIOX. 

CASE    HHH. 

940.  Sard — Meleager,  the  wild-boar  luinter. 

Tlie  little  tigiire  above  is  Luna  (Diana)  with  two  torches,  the  .protecting  deity 
of  Meleager. 

A.  Plaster  Iinpresxion  of  Xo.  940. 

941.  Mother-oJ- Pearl — A  Persian  Archer's  Ring,   ii.-td   in   Persia  and    in  all 

adjacent  c(jiintries  before  fireaniis  were  introdtieed. 

It  was  worn  on  the  riglit  tluimb,  and  by  it  the  cord  was  held  until  the  moment 
when  aim  was  taken  ;  then  the  bowstring  was  allowed  to  sli|i  off. 

942.  Chalcedoiiy-Oinj.i- — A  Scarabeus.     A  dancing  satyr  with  baton  and  Pan- 

dean pipes. 

B.  Piaster  Impres.iion  of  Xo.  94?. 

943.  Carneliaii — The  Wild  Boar  of  Arcadia. 

C.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  943. 

944.  Oiii/.r — Young  Hercules. 

D.  Pla.'tter  Impression  of  Xo.  944- 

94.5.   Garnet  Cabochon — A  curious  Christian  intaglio  of  the  fourth  century — a 
cross  for  each  century. 

E.  Plaster  Impre.-'x'toii  of  Xo.  94-j. 

946.  Curnelian — Concordia.     This  stone  has  been  iujuicd  liy  fire. 

F.  Plaster  Im]ires''i<iii  of  Xo.  94'J. 

947.  Sard — Diomedes  stepping  over  the  ramparts  of  Troy  in  the  act  of  carry- 

ing off  the  effigy  of  Minerva,  the  Palladium.     (See  fuller  account  in 
"  Rome,"  page  395  ;  also  see  No.  922,  Case  FFF.) 
ti.  Plaster  luipresslon  of  Xo.  94~. 

948.  Chalcedony- Oiiy.v — A  THing  ptorte  honheur.     A  mo.st  interesting  subject. 

The  design  represents  a  bone  from  the  inste|i  ol'  (he  hninan  foot  called  the  astrag- 
alus ;  it  is  shown  in  four  ]>ositions  or  faces — viz.  the  superior  and  inferior,  the  anterior 
and  posterior.  The  ancient  Romans  played  a  game  of  hazard  with  these  bones  as 
with  dice,  whicli  is  the  signification  of  the  word  '•  astragalus."  The  original  owner 
of  this  specimen  probably  said  to  himself,  in  playing  astrag.ilus :  "When  I  venture 
my  drachniic  on  the  anterior  face,  it  is  sure  to  fall  on  the  wrong  face,  and  rice,  rersd 
when  I  take  the  superior  face.  Xow,  I  will  have  a  talisman  stone  engraved,  a  puiie 
bonheni;  representing  all  the  four  positions;  then,  wliichever  way  the  astragalus  falls, 
I  shall  at  least  have  it  on  my  amidet."     (See  .\stragalus,  page  3G7.) 

I  avail  myself  witli  great  pleasure  of  this  opportunity  to  express  my  gratitude 
to  my  friend  the  learned  archaeologist.  Dr.  Dresser,  who  so  often  has  aided  me  in  de- 
ciphering engrave<l  gems  and  inscriptions.  It  was  he  who  first  discovered  that  all 
four  positions  of  the  astragalus  were  so  represented.  I  have  also  a  manuscript  from 
liis  hand  on  the  ring  of  Lucius  Philogenes,  the  liberated  slave,  No.  91.5,  Case  FFF. 

H.  Plaster  Impression  of  Xo.  948. 


GOLD  RINGS— INTAGLIOS.  731 

949.  Bronze — Ancient  Bronze  Astragalus,  whicli  lia.~  actually  been  used  in  play 

by  the  ancient  Ki)nians. 
The  tigiire  nf  the  astiagahis  is  also  found  on  the  oncia  in  the  time  of  Serviiis 
Tiilliiis,  sixtli  King  of  Rome.     This  one  was  kindly  ceded  to  me  in  Fehriiarv,  1882, 
liv  Dr.  I)iesser,  llien  of  the  Cieiinan  .\rcha?ological  Society  of  Korae. 

9491.  Aatique  Piiste — An  Astragalus.     Ancient  Roman.     Rare. 

950.  Amethyst — Tarquinius  Superbus,  .sun-iu-law  of  Servius  TuUius. 

"Tarquinius  Snperbus  took  the  wealtliy  town  of  Suessa  Pometia,  with  the  spoils 
of  which  he  commenced  the  erection  of  the  Capitol  at  Home,  whicli  his  father  had 
vowed.  In  digging  for  the  foundations  on  what  is  now  termed  the  t'apitolenm  a 
human  head  was  discovered  beneath  the  earth,  inidecayed  and  trickling  with  blood. 
Etruscan  soothsayers  expounded  the  prodigy  as  a  sign  that  Rome  was  destined  to 
become  the  head  of  the  world.'' 

J.  Piaster  Iiiijjre«'iio)i  of  No.  ff-JO. 

951.  Chalcedony — Osiris,  the  principal  P^gyptian  divinity,  husband  of  Isis. 

Unlike  other  gods,  the  worship  of  Osiris  was  universal  throughout  Egypt,  where 
he  was  known  as  Hysiris.  He  is  iiictured  in  the  intaglio  with  many  of  his  attributes 
and  symbols.  First,  a.s  the  great  progenitor,  in  his  right  hand  the  tiail  of  retribu- 
tion. On  the  right,  the  bull  Kamut,  and  above  it  Cynocephales,  symbol  of  the  moon, 
a.s  lie  was  believed  to  feel  its  influence  as  do  the  great  watei-s;  the  Cliristians  of  the 
Middle  Ages  even  gave  liis  liead  to  figures  of  St.  Christopher,  who  carried  our  .Sa- 
viour over  the  water  (in  fact,  I  believe  that  is  the  derivation  of  the  name  Christopher 
— Christ-over).  Below  the  bull  is  Moo,  running  water.  On  the  left,  above,  a  soul ; 
below  that  are  flying  scarabei,  syuduilic  of  the  resurrection  of  the  soul ;  also  a  flying 
heart,  and  his  hiy  or  sceptre. 

K.   Phi.<ti'r  Iiiijire-i.-'ion  of  No.  0-jl. 

952.  A(i(tt<:-Oii)j.r — Antiphates.  the  fisherman  who  tormented  Ulysses  when  his 

boats  were  driven  un  the  shore  at  Telepylos.     He  was  also  a  ruler  of 
a  savage  people. 
L.  Plih^ter  Impresdon  of  No.  95ii. 

953.  Emerald — Victory  Crowning  a  Trophy.     Has  l)een  injured  by  fire. 
M.  P/aster  Imprrssiim  nf  Nc  •''•'•''. 

954.  Sard — A  Biga  drawn  by  a  Lioness  and  a  Goat.     Very  fine. 
N.  Plaster  lmj)re.<sion  of  No.  9-jJf. 

955.  Ony.r — Ulysses  consecrating  himself  at  a  shrine  before  entering  the  con- 

test for  the  hand  of  Penelope. 
0.  Plaster  Impre.<-v.on  of  No.  9od. 


732  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTIOX. 

GOLD    EINGS— CAMEOS. 

"  In  times  of  sorrow  the  Kuiiian  cliaiigeJ  his  gold  lor  iron  and  bronze  rings,  and  when 
lie  (lied  his  rings  were  often  burnt  with  liis  corpse.  Kings  were  placed  upon  the  statues  of 
the  deities  and  lieroes,  and  were  put  on  or  taken  off  according  to  the  festival  that  was  cel- 
ebrated. Konian  rings  were  often  of  great  value.  Thus,  that  of  the  Empress  Faustina  is 
said  to  have  cost  the  iuunense  sum  of  ?200.0()0,  and  that  of  Uoiiiitia  the  still  larger  amuiuit 
of  §300,000." 

CASE    III. 

956.  Oiii/.r — Ariosto,  the  Italian  poet. 

957.  Sardonyx — Hertha,  godde.ss  of  tlie  Earth. 

958.  Sardoni/.v — Pyrrhus,  KiiiK  of  Ejiini.s. 

959.  Sard— A  Slave  of  Aleppo.     An  Oriental  gem. 

9()0.  Af/a(e-Oni/x — Faustina,  wife  of  Marcus  Aurelius. 

9()1.   Chalcedoii  I/-  Onyx — Homer, 

9(>2.  Sardonyx — Hyacinthus,  the  Spartan  beloved  of  Apollo. 

Zephyriis,  jealous  of  Hyacinthus,  drove  the  niioit  of  .\pollo  with  force  against 
his  heail,  and  killed  him.  From  his  blood  sprang  up  the  flower  hyacinth.  On  the 
leaves  were  .il,  AI. 

i)(i."].    Onyx — Lucius  Varus,  seveuteenth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  I()l-l(i9. 

The  colleague  of  Marcus  Aurelius  iu  the  ICmpire;  was  a  dissolute  man,  and 
died  suddenly  at  Alliuiun,  iu  the  couulry  of  the  Vcneti. 

9()4.   Onyx — Vesta,  godde^^.•<  of  the  Hearth. 

9<i5.   Kniendil — Maximinus  Pius,  thirtieth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  n.  •2o.'>-2;l'S. 
(ireek  eameo,  siiined. 

He  was  born  in  a  village  on  the  cnuliues  of  Thrace,  and  was  patronized  and 
advanced  by  Alexander  Severus,  and  im  the  latter's  death  was  proclaimed  em]ieror. 
A  valiant  general,  but  cruel  and  brutal.  The  army  and  people  were  so  dissatisfied 
that  ihcy  formed  a  ciwjiird  and  assassiualcil   him. 

9()i!.   Onyx — Ptolemy. 

I'loliMuy.  or  I'loleiiiMMis,  sm-]iamcd  I'liiladclphus,  scjn  of  Mark  Antony  by  Cle- 
opatra. .\fter  the  death  of  Antony,  A.  l>.  30,  his  life  was  s|)ared  by  .Vngustns  at  the 
intercession  of  .Tuba  and  Cleopatra,  and  he  was  brought  up  by  Octavia  with  her  own 
children. 

907.  Aijate — A  Warrior  in  a  Biga,  drawn   i)y  two  camels.      Victory  tdnuit  to 
erown   Jiim. 

iid.s.   Onyx — Horatius  Defending  the  Bridge. 

The  bridge  was  over  the  Tilicr  at  Rome;  Hoi-aiius  was  fighting  the  Etruscans. 
The  Romans  were  oliligcd  lo  destroy  their  end  of  thf  bridge,  when  Horatius  with  his 
horse  swam  back. 


GOLD  AND  SILVER  RINGS— CAMEOS.  733 

9(j9.   Onyx — Maecenas. 

DTO.   Onyx — Marcus  Aurelius,  i-ixteciith  Emperor  of  Rome. 

ilTl.  Riihy — A  Child's  Head.     Uiii(|iif  ami  rare. 

A  nibv  in  relief  is  seliloin  to  be  iVmnd  in  any  European  collection.    (See  another, 
No.  109.5,  Case  QQ Q.I 

972.  Onyx — A  figure  of  Minerva. 

973.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Petrarch. 

974.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Virgil. 


GOLD   AXD   SILVER   RINGS— CAMEOS. 

CASE    JJJ. 

975.  Affate — Deianira,  wife  of  Hercules. 

970.  Sardonyx — A  Chimera.     Tliree  masks. 

977.   Onyx — Psyche. 

97S.    White  Topaz — Augustus,  first  Emperor  of  Rome.    A  Eoniau  cameo  signed 
iu  Greek. 

979.  Sardonyx — Titus,  tenth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

980.  Sardonyx — A  Bacchante. 

981.  Onyx — Medusa  (Ciniiue-cento). 

982.  Chakedony-OiiiiJ—tleAusa..     Set  witli  diamond  sparks  (Cimjue-eento). 

983.  Sardonyx — Jove.     Fine  cameo. 

984.  Pale  Oni/x — Jupiter  Serapis. 

985.  Agafr — A  Kalmuck. 

986.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Jugurtha,  King  of  Xumidia. 

987.  Onyx— A  Rude  Round  Bearded  Head. 

988.  Pale  Onyx — Jupiter  Serapis. 

989.  Chalcedony- Onyx — A  Medici  fCinriue-cpiito). 

990.  Chalcedony-Onyx — A  Gorgon  Mask. 

991.  Chalcedony- Onyx — A  Medici  (Cimiue-cento). 

CASE   KKK. 

992.  Sardoniix — Chloris.  a  tii.ral  divinity. 

993.  Onyx — A  Grotes(iue  Head. 


734  SUMMER  VILLE   COLLECTION. 

994.  Affcite — Ptolemseus  Auletes,  the  Hute-phiytT,  son  of  Fti)lfiii;L-iis  Latliynis. 
99-'>.  A(/ate — Domitian,  eleventh  Emperor  of  Koine. 
990.  Pale  Oiii/.t—Romei. 

997.  Oin/.r — Marcus  Agrippa,  .*ou-in-law  of  Aut^ustus  and  srand  admiral  of 

the  lloinan  tleet. 

998.  Chdlfnloiiji-Oiii/.r — Gordianus  Pius  III.,  thirty-tifth  Empei-or  of  Kome. 

999.  Oiii/.r — Diana  in  a  Biga. 

1000.  6'rt/'/— Marcus  Aurelius,  .-sixteenth  Empeior  of  Rome. 

1001.  Oiiii-c — Maria  Theresa  of  Austria. 

1002.  .S(6crfo/M/.c— Titus,  tenth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  79-.S1. 

Smreeileil  Vesiiasian,  and  was  oiii;  nt  [\w  wuol  illu,sli-i<iii.s  ami  lieneticent  of 
the  Kiiiiian  eiiiperiivs.  He  is  most  ijartieiilarly  known  tor  the  siege  and  eapture 
of  .lenisak'in,  A.  1).  7(1.  The  Arch  of  Titns,  erected  in  Koine  in  eoinmeinoration 
of  this  event,  and  slill  slandiiin,  contains  scnlplnres  of  many  of  the  sacred  vessels 
lirnnnht  l.y  him  fn»ii  Ihc  lcm|ile  at  .leiiisalem.  During  his  reign  the  great  erup- 
tion of  N'cMivins  .iciurivil  which  linricd  llie  cities  Herculanenm  and  Pompeii, 
A.  11.  7'J.  Titns  com|iletcd  ihe  Culosseiim,  which  had  been  begun  by  his  father; 
lie  built  also  the  IJallis  of  Titus.  The  dedication  of  these  two  edifices  was  cel- 
ebrated bv  spectacles  which  lasted  one  hundred  ilays  and  were  marked  with  e.xtra- 
ordinarv  siileudor.  On  one  day  alone  five  thousand  wild  animals  are  said  to  have 
been  exhilMlcil. 

lOO;).   Chnlci-dotiij — Ptolemy,  Kiiii;-  of  lyuypt. 

1004.    Ci(riir/liiii — Domitian,  eleventh   Eiii|ieiMr  of  Home,  \.  n.  Sl-lKi.      Sne- 
eeedod    his   lirotllef   Titlls. 

rtomilian  was  alternately  trilling  and  cruel,  lie  siieiit  uiuch  cpf  his  time  catch- 
ing and  killing  llics.  One  day  his  beautiful  wife  Doiuitia  eiilcicil  his  apartment, 
her  hair  clalioratcly  dressed,  with  a  Miiall  stilclto  stuck  ihrongh  il  lor  ornamental 
su|)porl.  Unmiliau,  seeing  a  lly  upon  her.  slriick  fir  il,  and  in  doing  so  deranged 
the  headdri'ss:  whereupon  Dnmilia,  cnram'il,  seized  the  stilcllo  and  chased  the 
emperor  from  rooni  lo  room,  lie  once  invited  a  imiulier  of  senators  to  dinner, 
and  when  llicy  were  asscnililcd  led  lliciii  into  ail  adjoining  apartment  hung  in 
black,  lit  with  candles,  while  all  around  the  sides  of  the  room  were  open  cottins 
tiearing  the  names  of  the  guests. 

loo.'i.    Oiii/.i- — Tiberius,  second  I']inperor  of  Rome. 
1(M)().  .S'(r'/o////.r— Faustina. 

CASE    LLL. 

1007.   ( 'iKtlciihniii-Oiiij.r — Incognito. 
loos.   Oiiij.r — A  Bacchante. 
1009.   Oiiijx—h.  Faun. 


GOLD  AND  SILVER  RIXGS— CAMEOS.  735 

]Ol(l.  Red  Jmper — Octavia,  daughter  of  Claudius,  touith  Emperor  of  Rome. 

1011.  Oiiijx—ka.  Idiot. 

1012.  Chalcedony- On i/.v — Trebonianus  Gallus,  forty-first  Emiieror  of  Rome. 

1013.  Sard — Numa  Pompilius,  second  King  of  Rome,  in  sacerdntal  edslunu-. 

1014.  S((rdony.r — Melpomene,  one  i)f  the  Nine  Muses,  who  presided  over  Trag- 

edy.     Fine  eaineo  and  beautiful  stone. 

1015.  Ftik  Onyx — IncogEito. 

1016.  A;/(itt — Marcus  Aurelius  in  Youth,  sixteenth  Eni})eror  of  Rome. 

1017.  (chalcedony- On y.r — A  Bearded  Mask. 

1018.  Onyj—K  Warrior  with  Shield. 
101!).  Onyx — Jupiter  Tonans. 

lt>20.   Cltfikedonij-Onyx — Jupiter. 

1021.  ^sardonyx — Zeno,  a  Greek  philosopher. 

CASE    MMM. 

1022.  Onyx — A  Turbaned  Ethiopian. 

1023.  Sardonyx — Hercules  and  lole. 

1024.  Ci-nu/dfi'  Onyx — A  Warrior,  with  Medusa  on  his  shield.    Beautiful  color. 

1025.  Pa/e  Sardonyx — Rhemetalces,  King  of  Thrace. 
102(i.   Onyx — Incognito. 

1027.  ( 'lialcrdiiiiy — Medusa. 

1028.  Pale  Sardonyx — Domitian,  eleventh  Enjpcror  of  Rome. 

1029.  Affdte-Onyx — Trebonianus  Gallus,  forty-first  Emperor  of  Rome. 

KoHglit  IViim  tlie  lariiily  ('iippell;iri  della  CoUimba  de  Venezia,  near  relations 
of  Pope  tiregciry  XVI..  to  wlumi  this  ring  formerly  belongeil,  and  who  gave  it 
to  one  of  the  Cappellari  della  ('olnmba  family.     Kare  and  beautiful  stone. 

lO^iO.  Pair  Onyx — Nero,  fifth  Enipenir  nf  Runie. 

1031.  Onyx — Hadrian,  Inurtienlli   Ijii|Mi-(ir  111'  liiiine,  A.  I).  117-138. 

He  was  liorn  at  Home,  and  occupied  most  of  his  reign  travelling  in  all  the 
Konian  [irovinces— in  Egypt,  in  ( iennany,  Spain,  etc.,  etc. ;  then  built  Hadrian's 
villa  at  Tivoli,  wlicre  he  had  reproduced  many  of  the  fine  works  of  art  he  had 
seen.  At  Bithynia  he  met  young  .Antinous,  of  beauty  and  fine  form,  and  made 
liini  his  favorite,  .\nlinous  was  drowned  in  llie  Nile,  and  lladrian  liuilt  a  temple 
to  his  memory  at  .Me.xandi'ia. 

1032.  Agate — A  Phrygian  Amazon, 


736  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1033.  Oinjx — Virgil.     Superb  canico.     Ex(|uisite  natural  color. 

1034.  Pule  0»(/.i— Magdalen. 

1035.  Chalcedony — Aristides. 

103(3.   Chalcedoiiy-Oiiijx — Messalina,  third  wife  (jf  Chuiiliu^ — a  bad,  profligate 
woman. 

CASE    NNN. 

1037.  S'li-il — Meleager. 

1038.  Agate — Claudius,  fourth  Eniperi;)r  of  Konie. 

1039.  Cameo  in  Gold — Jupiter  Serapis,  Isis,  and  Horus. 

1040.  0/(//.r— Cupid. 

1041.  Onyx — Alexander. 

11)42.   Pale  Siirdonij.v — Coraniodus,  eiglitecnth  Eiuix-ror  of  Rome. 

1043.  Pule  Surdoni/j- — Carlo  Borromeo,  of  the  .Medici  family,  nephew  of  Pope 

Pius  IV.' 

1044.  Surdoni/x — Amor,  hi.s  head  decorated  with  flower.*  and  fruits.     Beautiful 

stone  and  fine  execution.     Greek  inscription  on  the  surplice. 

104.').  Chaleedonij — Otho,  seventh  Einpei'or  of  Rome. 

104().  Eineruld — An  Etruscan  Scarabeus,  broiien. 

1047.  Emerald — A  Sleeping  Dog. 

1048.  Alabaster  in  Two  Sffata — Medusa. 

1049.  Ja.fper — An  African. 

lOoO.   Onyx — A  Roman  Mask  Crinque-cento). 
10.")1.  Agate — Cleopatra. 

CASE    OOO. 

1052.  Sardonyx — A  Mask  of  a  Satyr. 

1053.  Onyx — Lena,  bacchante. 

1054.  Pale  Sardonyx — An  Owl's  Head.     Notice  the  utilization  of  the  stratifica- 

tion of  the  stone. 

1055.  Onyx — A  Superb  Jove. 

1056.  Sardonyx — ^sculapius. 

1057.  Pale  Sardonyx — Semele,   a  breviary  ring  of  Pliili]i  IT.   of  S]iain,  with 

knobs  or  jioints,  used  to  count  prayers. 

1058.  Pule  Onyx — Macrinus,  twenty-sixth  Emperor  of  Rome,  a.  d.  217-218. 


GOLD  AND  BRONZE  RINGS— CAMEOS.  737 

Jle  was  Imrn  in  ('iesarea  in  ^[al^•itania.  On  tlie  assassination  of  Caracalla  he 
was  proclainit'il  eiuiieror,  reisneil  a  tew  niontlis,  and  was  assassinated  liy  tlie  iViemls 
of  Cai'acalla  muler  the  intinence  of  Julia  Miesa,  the  aunt  of  {'ara<'alla. 

1059.  Sdnhiiiijx — Socrates  and  his  Mask. 

li)()().  Chalcedonij — Lysimachus. 

1061.  Chalcedony- Onyx — Una  and  the  Lion. 

1062.  Oivj.r — A  Negress  with  Braided  Hair. 

1063.  Chalctdiiny-Uiiij.c — Hesiodus,  a  port  of  the  Breotian  scliool. 

1064.  Sardonyx — A  Wounded  Gladiator. 

1065.  Sardonyx — Olivia,  a  prie.stess. 

10()().    Clia/ndony-Onyx — Marcus  Agrippa.  gfaiiil  ailiiiifal  under  Aiigiistu.s. 


GOLD   AND   BRONZE   RINGS— CAMPZOS. 

CASE    PPP. 

1067.  Pale  iSardoiiyx — Meleager,  the  wild-lioar  hunter. 

His  Iiunting  expeditions  led  to  open  war.  The  Calydonians  were  always  vic- 
torious so  long  as  Meleager  went  out  with  tliein. 

1068.  GoM — Exquisitely  fine  gokl  Byzantine  cloisonne  Ring  of  the  sixtli  cen- 

tury A.T).     Tlie  inscrij)tion  is  M,  abbreviation  of  MHTHP,  mother;  e, 
abbreviation  of  eeoy,  Theou — •"mother  of  God." 
1060.  Sardonyx — Seneca,  the  rhetorician. 

He  was  linrn  at  Cordova,  in  Spain,  about  B.  c.  Gl.  He  was  at  Rome  in  the 
early  period  of  the  power  of  Augustus, 

1070.  Gold  Bronze— A  Satyr. 

1071.  Sf(;v/— Cicero,  the  Roman  orator. 

1 072.  Chalcedony-  Onyx — Ulysses. 

Ulysses  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  Trojan  War;  sometimes  called  "the  mar- 
iner," on  account  of  his  skill  in  navigation  and  his  long  voyages  with  companions 
after  the  downfall  of  Troy. 

1073.  Onyx  of  Sercn  Strata — A  Helmeted  Warrior.     Fine  example  of  tlie  util- 

ization of  stratilieation  in  stones  for  trems. 

1074.  Chalcedony-Onyx — Harpocrates,  also  called  Horus  Harpocrates. 

He  was  the  god  of  Silence,  and  is  said  to  have  been  born  with  liis  finger  on 
his  mouth.     In  Egyjitian  fable  he  was  the  god  of  the  Sun. 

1075.  An  Antique  Scenic  Mask,     (ireen  color.     One  of  the  rarest  gems  in  my 

eolleetioll. 


738  SOMMEB  VILLE   COLLECTION. 

107(1.   Pule  Ony.r — Maximinus  Pius,  tUirt'uth  Eiupei-or  of  Rome. 
I(i77.    (l(il<l — An  Alliance  or  Matrimonial  Ring,  in  anck'nt  virgin  irold. 

A  belrulliiil  liim  was  worn  on  the  fourth  tinger,  called  the  golilen  linger.  The 
ancients,  believing  that  the  blood-ves.sel  or  vein,  vena  nalvalelhi,  reached  inore 
diiccily  ibc  heart,  made  this  linger  the  seat  of  the  golden  band  of  alliance. 

107.S.    (Jdlil — All  iiiitiiiue  Christian  relic,  a  King  of  the  third  century  .v.  i>. 

1079.  Pale  .Sarf/o)(//.c— Sophocles,  the  Greek  dramatist. 

1080.  Pule  Oiiij.r — Pertinax,  nineteenth  Eniperur  of  Koine,  from  January  1st  to 

.Alairii  -Jsth.  .\.  I).  193. 

lie  was  born  in  the  province  of  (ienoa,  and  was  proclaimed  emperor  after 
Commodiis;  reigned  two  month.s  and  twenty-seven  day.s.  Was  stabbed  liy  the 
Praetorian  (Jnard  becanse  he  desired  reform,  and  wonld  not  pay  nor  give  presents 
to  the  gnards.  as  diil  the  tyrannical  emperors  who  had  preceded  him. 

1081.  Chdlcrdoiiji-Oiii/.r — Susannah  and  the  Elders. 

.Susannah  in  the  bath,  a  beautifnl  cameo  of  the  fifteenth  centnry.  I  From  the 
Zanetti  Collei-tion.l 

V)>>±  Aijiite-Oiiij.r — Phoenix  Rising  from  the  Flames.     PiohaMy  a  fragment 
of  a  large  and  iinjiortant  cameo. 

1083.  0/((/.-— Cleopatra. 

1084.  Sardiiin/.i- — Socrates. 

CASE   QQQ. 

1085.  Sardonyx — Citharistria. 

1086.  Chalcedoiii/-Oiiii.f — Domitia,  wife  of  the  Emperor  Domitian. 

1087.  White  Topaz — Aristides,  sunuimed  the  Just  on  account  of  his  inflexible 

integrity.  ^ 

He  was  contemporaneous  with  Tbcmistodes,  and  died  about  B.  c.  468. 

1088.  Surd — Maecenas,  the  chief  minister  and  friend  of  Augu.stus. 

He  was  enormonsly  rich,  and  nsed  his  wealth  freely  in  patronizing  men  of 
letters,  particnlarly  Horace  and  Virgil. 

1089.  Af/afr-'hiii.r — Commodus,  eighteenth  Emjieror  of  Rome. 

1090.  Onyx — A  Bassarid,  li-.irchaiite. 

1091.  Pale  <S'/;-(/— Offering  a  Libation  to  Bacchus. 

1092.  Sardonyx — Hippocrates.     One  of  the  finest  cameos  in  my  cullectioii. 

He  was  the  most  celebrated  physician  of  anliipiity  ;  born  in  the  island  of  Cos 
abont  li.  r.  41)11. 

1093.  Siberian  Jasper — Claudius,  fourth  Emperor  of  Rome,  hi-other  of  Ger- 

maniciis  ami  uncle  of  Caligula. 


GOLD   RINGS— CAMEOS.  73!) 

He  was  in  his  nepliew's  palace  wlien  tlie  soldiers  sought  to  assassinate  liim. 
He  was  very  nuioh  tVighteneil,  anil  hi<l  liiinself  nniler  the  curtain  of  a  palace  door, 
where  they  found  him  trembling  an<l  powerless  with  fear.  Through  love  for  his 
brother,  the  deceased  Germanicus,  they  carrieil  Claudius  out  and  showed  him  to 
the  people,  and  lie  was  forthwith  proclaimed  emperor.  He  was  not  tyrannical, 
but  weak,  incapable,  and  timorous.  After  reigning  thirteen  years  (A.  D.  41-54), 
his  wife,  Agrippina,  caused  a  pliysiciaii  to  administer  poison  to  him,  of  which  lie 
died. 

10!)4.  S(u-<h,nij.v — Cupid  Preparing  a  Sacrifice.  A  canieo  of  the  tifteeiith  t-eii- 
tiiiy. 

This  stone  is  very  curious.  White  chalcedony  Hgures  on  a  ruby-red  stratum, 
yet,  seen  against  the  light,  all  white. 

1095.  Ruby — Domitian,  elevciitli  Emperor  of  Rome.  There  are  .six  small 
holes  pierced  throUfzh  this  niliy  by  which  it  was  attached  to  a  gar- 
ment ill  the  first  eeiittiry. 

1090.  Eijijiitiiiii  Jksjii  r — A  Bacchante,  ornamented  with  grapes  and  leaves. 

10!»7.  Braiize — Thothmes  III.  An  Egyptian  seal  ring,  fonnd  liy  the  collector 
at  Girgeh. 

ions.   Chakedoiiij — A  Curious  Rude  Head. 

1099.  S(-irdoiiij.f — Hyacinthus. 


GOLD    KINGS— CAMEOS. 

CASE    RRR. 

1100.  6W;(/— A  Satyr. 

1101.  Oiii/.r — Cassander,  King  of  Maeednnia.     AVitlioiit  the  lion's  skin. 

1102.  Maculated  Sardoni/x — Socrates  tiliont  to  drink  the  hemlock  ;  the  bowl  is 

broken,     lieantiftd   stone. 

1103.  Sardoinj.r,  four  4riita — A  Grotesque  Mask,  with  fann's  ears. 

1104.  Sard-A(/ide — Servius  Tullius,  si.xth  King  of  Jiome,  b.  c.  533. 

1105.  Chalcedony-Onyx — A  very  curious  Ring. 

A  sainted  ecclesiastical ;  around  his  liead  are  five  gold  stars  set  into  the  onyx  ; 
under  his  right  arm  an  olive  branch  ;  and  supported  between  his  body  and  left  arm 
is  a  crucifix  with  our  f>aviour  criicilied.  Although  very  minute,  this  can  clearly 
be  seen  liv  a  practised  eye. 

ll()(i.    Oiiy.v — Hannibal,  with  a  Greek  signature. 

1107.  Sarduiiyx — Marcus  Agrippa,  general  under  Augustus  and  grand  admiral. 

1108.  Siberian  Jasper — Incognito. 


740  SOMMEBVILLE    COLLECTION. 

noil.  Sardoiiy.c — A  Faun's  Head. 

1110.  Onyx — A  Bacchante.     Fine  liead. 

1111.  Chdh-edoinj-Oinjx — A  fijiure  of  Victory  as  History. 

1112.  Pah  Onijx — The  Emperor  Augustus,  in  succnldtal  (n-  ])(mtifical  veil,  a 

portrait  of  his  own   timi.'. 

The  eves,  iiioulli,  etc.  etc.  are  cut  witli  a  diamond  point  as  with  a  graver. 
This  fact  was  noted  witli  nuidi  pleasure  by  the  late  Monsieur  L.  Hirscli,  profes- 
sional e.xpert  of  Ko.  32  Rue  Louis  le  Grand,  Paris,  to  whose  generous  learning 
I  have  so  often  been  indebted  in  defining  or  divining  classical  and  mythological 
subjects  on  stones  in  my  possession. 

lli;5.   Cliiilceiloiiii-Omjx— St.  John.     Iluiiuii'k  tlie  beauty  of  the  arm,  with  the 
twisted  rope. 

1114.  Ja.'iper-Oni/x — A  Bacchanalian  Figure,  with  ;i  full  eruehe  aiul  an  empty 
wiue-skiu. 


ANTIQUE    PASTES. 

CASE    SSS. 
111-5.  A  Chrktian  Amulet — A  Palm  Branch.     Beautiful  iridescence. 

1116.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio— 'Ulinerva.. 

1117.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Medusa. 

lllJS.  Antique  Paste  Iiituf/lio,  color  red  jasper — Minerva. 
11  li.).  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  red  jasper — Fortuna. 

1120.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  ridnj — Prometheus. 

1121.  Antique  Paste   Cameo,  color  sard — An  Amulet  with  Two   Heads.     Has 

been  worn  on  a  necklace. 

1122.  Antique  Paste    Cameo,   color  white,  on    deep  sapphire  J'ouit — A   Bearded 

Mask.     A  fragment. 

1123.  Antique  Iridescent  G'Aw,*  Cameo — A  Lion's  Head. 

1124.  Antique  Paste — A  beautiful  intaglio  of  a  Bacchanalian  Head,  only  vis- 

ible to  a  practised  eve.     Fine  iridescence. 

112.5.  Antique  Enamel — St.  Marc  in  Prayer.     A  religious  anmlet  of  the  seveiitli 
century,  with  inscription  :   S.  Marcvs. 

1126.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — The  Sun  between  the  Dioscuri,  the  sons  of 
Jupiter — Castor  and  Polhix. 

Probably  representing  an  emperor  and  liis  twn  sous,  symliolized  by  tlieir  patron 


ANTIQUE  PASTES.  741 

ilivinities.     y\.  Longperier  studied  this  gem,  and  made  notes  of  it  in  llie  Academic 
des  Inscriptions,  Paris,  1881. 

1127.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  of  ruby — Medusa.     A  fruL'ment. 

1128.  Antique  Pade  Cameo,  white  on  deep  sapphire  fond — Livia,  wife  of  Augus- 

tus.    A  fragment. 

112!l  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — A  Lion's  Head.     Beautiful  iridescence. 

lloO.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Slave  Imploring  his  Life  of  a  Warrior. 

1131.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass  Cameo — Mercury. 

1132.  Antique  Paste,  color  sard — An  Amulet  with  Two  Heads. 


CASE    TTT. 
1133.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  pale  ruby — Minerva. 

llo-t.  Antique  Pa<te  Intaglio — A  Sea-Nymph,  ridiuir  a  monster  with  a  doljihius 
body  ami  tail. 

1135.  Atitique  Paste  Intaglio — Ceres.     Beautiful  Oriental  design. 

1136.  Antique  Enamel  Cameo,  color  red  jusper-oni/x — A  Scenic  Mask. 

1137.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  ruby — Young  Hercules. 

1138.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  tvhite  on  deep  sapphire — A  Faun's  Head.     A 

fragment. 

1139.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pale  topaz — A  Head  and  representation  of  a 

Ring. 

Probably  worn  as  a  medallion  by  a  slave  who  had  not  the  right  to  wear  a 
ring. 

1140.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  deep  sard — A   representation   of  Chariot- 

races;  each  quadriga  has  four  horses  abreast.     Interesting. 

1141.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  amethi/4 — A  Goat. 

1142.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pcde  topaz — A  Mask.     Silvered  iridescence. 

1143.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  sard — A  Bull.     Exquisite  iridescence. 

1144.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  rich  topaz — Hercules.     Beautiful  o-em. 

1 145.  Antique  Pade  Cameo — Horus  Harpocrates,  said  to  have  been  born  with 

his   finger   on  his    moutli,   sinniticaut   of  silence,  .<ecrecy,   and   niv.s- 
terv. 

1146.  Antique  Pade,  color  ruby — A  'Warrior  on  Horse.     Fine  iridescence. 

1147.  Antique  Paste,  color  lajiif  lazuli;  cameo  once  gilded — Neptune.     (See  Xo. 

56,  Case  D.) 


742  HOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1148.  Antique  Paste   Camfo — Africa.     Tlie   headdress  is  the  skin   of  an   ck'- 
phant's  head. 

114!).  Antique  Pude  Iiduij/ia,  m/nr  jjide  «fn-(/— Woman  Worshipping  a  Bird. 

1150.  Antique  Pude  Cunieo — Medusa.     Extraordinary  iridescence. 

1151.  Antique  J'lftr  Litiii/Ho,  enlor  pule  ■■<unl — Hannibal. 

1152.  Antique  Pudr  Intii;//iii — Dog  and  Cock  Striving  over  a  Bowl  of  Food. 

1153.  Antique  Pude  LituijUo,  color  topuz — A  Lion's  Head. 

1154.  Antiijue  Paste  Cameo — Bacchus  and  a  Nymph. 

1155.  Bronze  Ring,  u-itli  AnfiijKe  Pude  Lituglio — Incognito.     Finely  cut. 

1156.  Anti(jue  Pude  lului/lio,  color  saji/iliire  unit  enierulcl,  driateil   with    wltite — 

The  Emperor  Prabo,  with  sceptre  in  hand;  on  his  shield  a  minute 
intaglio  of  Pegasus  nmuntcd. 

CASE    UUU. 

1157.  Antique  Pude  Cameo,  color  lujiix  lu:iili,  wliite  und  tojjuz — A  curious  Gor- 

gon Mask,  with  faun's  ears. 

1158.  Anti(jae  Paste  Cumro,  color  u-liHe  on  riihij  J'luiij — Two  Heads. 

1159.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  in  high  relief — A  Bearded  Mask. 

1160.  Antique  Paste  Intugho,  color  surd — The  Genius  of  the  Sun. 

1161.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Silenus,  inebriated,  seate<l  on  the  ground,  giving 

a  cup  of  wine  to  his  disci|)le  Bacchus,  and  instructing  him  in  the  use 
of  intoxicating  beverages,  tiiat  he  may  in  like  manner  educate  the 
bacchanalians  and  supervise  the  preservation  of  life,  maturity,  etc., 
etc.  The  fiu'ure  of  a  woman  in  the  backgivjund  is  8emele,  mother  of 
Dionysus  or  Bacchus. 

1162.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  striated  .-^urd — A  Satyr. 

1163.  Antique  Paste  Intuglin,  color  topaz — A  Bacchante  decorated  with  grape- 

leaves  and  fruit. 

1164.  Antique  Paste — A  Scarabeus.     Rare. 

1165.  Antique  Pade  Intaglio,  color  sard— A  Winged  Sphinx. 

1166.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pule  sard — Polynices,  son  of  (Edipus  and 

Jocasta. 

After  his  I'atlier's  Higlit  IVuiii  Tliebes  lie  iiiulerlunk  the  goveriinient  witli  liis 
brother  Eteocles.  Tliey  quarrelled,  and  decided  the  difficuUy  liy  single  ccmtest. 
when  they  bcith  fell.     One  of  the  finest  aiitirine  pa-sles.     ."Splendid  iridescence. 

1167.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  rich  .iard — A  Crow  on  a  branch  of  a  tree. 


ANTIQUE  PASTES.  743 

1168.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  deep  sard — Mercury. 

lUii).  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Vulcan  Forging  Armor.    Striated  and  iridescent. 

1170.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — A  Bacchanalian.     Fine  delicate  gray-green  color. 

1171.  Antique  Iridescent  Gla-is — A  Mask. 

1172.  Fruffinent  of  Antique  Blue  (rln.<s,  with  the  signature  of  the  manufacturer, 

Artas  of  Sidon,  a  Phoenician  of  the  second  century  a.  d.,  in  both 
Greek  and  Latin. 

APTAC  ARTAS  [of] 

CIAU     [NIOC].  SIDON 

1173.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Young  Victorious  Warrior,  hanging  his  bow 

on  the  coUunn  of  victory ;  Hercules  and  ^Minerva  assist  at  this  cer- 
emony. 

1 174.  Antiqtie  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pale  sai-d — Apollo. 

1175.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  dark  sard — Abundance. 

117(3.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pale  sard — Endymion.  the  lover  of  Diana. 
Diana  was  enamored  of  him.     Superb  iridescence. 

1177.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Cupid    Hiding    a   Human-faced   Horse.      An 

antiijue  bronze  ring. 

1178.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  topaz — Pegasus. 

1179.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pale  sard — A  Scenic  Mask. 

1180.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  ruby — A  Vestal,  with  an  effigy  in  her  hand. 

Fine  gem. 

1181.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  white  on  jxde  ruby — Paris. 

CASE    VVV. 

1182.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Hebe  Presented  by  Mercury  to  Jupiter.   The  bird 

is  the  eagle  of  Jupiter  Toiians  :  behind  the  chair  is  Juno  and  young 
Hercules.     Superb  cameo.     Five  figures  are  visilile.     A  fragment. 

1183.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — A  Satyr  and  Nymph. 

1184.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Bacchante  rlecorated  with  fruit  and  flowers. 

1185.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Amor.     Beautiful  patina. 

1186.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass— A  Lion's  Head.     Second  century:  observe  the 

beautiful  color. 

1187.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Bacchante,  full  foce.     Fine  iridescence. 

1188.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Mask.     Ring.     Violet  iridescence. 

35 


744  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1189.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  striated  in  three  colors — Pegasus. 

1190.  Antique  Pu!<te  Intaglio,  color  pale  sard — Othryades,  :i  Spartan,  one  of  the 

three  hundred  selected  to  fight  with  three  liundred  Argives  for  the 
possession  of  Thyrea. 

Othi-v.ades  was  left  for  dead  on  tlie  field,  but  of  all  that  liost  he  alone  escaped. 
Beautiful  gem  :  observe  the  shield. 

1191.  Antique  Paste  Intar/lio,  color  rich  sard — Hercules.     A  fragment. 

1192.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass  Intaglio— The  Fall  of  Phaethon,  at  the  moment 

when  tlie  horf^e.-:;  are  becoming  unmanageable.     (.See  Metamorphoses  of 
Odd,  book  ii.,  and  "  Belgium's  Contribution,"  page  359.) 

Phaetlion,  desiring  to  guide  or  drive  the  chariot  of  the  Sun  during  the  twenty- 
four  hours,  praved  his  father  to  grant  him  this  great  favor.  Helios,  urged  bv  Cly- 
mene,  and  not  wishing  to  disappoint  his  son,  consented,  but  instructed  him  to 
maintain  always  the  same  direction,  warning  him  that  otherwise  he  might  fall 
upon  the  plain,  into  a  river,  or  the  sea.  Pliaethon  drove  with  the  ardor  of  youth, 
but  n\is  soon  unable  to  check  the  horses,  and  lost  all  control ;  he  was  thrown  from 
the  chariot,  and  fell  into  the  sea  at  the  emboucluire  of  the  river  Po.  The  figures 
on  the  intaglio  below  Phaethon  represent  the  Ileliadic,  the  .sisters  of  Phaethon, 
who  were  metamorphosed  into  poplar  trees. 

1193.  Antiq^le  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pale  sard — Achilles  leaving  his  son  Neop- 

tolemus,  accomiianied  by  Ulysses.     Fine  gem. 

1194.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass  Cameo — A  Grotesque  Mask. 

1195.  Antiqtte  Paste  Intaglio — A  Bull  Frolicking. 

1196.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Mask.     Fragment  of  a  bronze  ring.     (See 

another  in  onyx  and  iron  in  No.  906,  Case  P]EE.) 

1197.  Antiqiie  Paste  Intaglio,  color  rubij — An  Asiatic  King. 

1198.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Cupid  seeking  Water  to  ftuench  a  Flame. 

1199.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  sard — Neptune. 

1200.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — A  Nymph's  Head.     Second  century. 

CASE    V/W\V. 

1201.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  ivhite  on  sapphire — Cleopatra  Reclining. 

1202.  A7itique  Paste  Cameo,  color  sard — A  Mask.     Spots  of  violet  iridescence. 

1203.  Fragment  of  a  Paste  Cameo,  injured  hij  time  and  fire — Apollo. 

In  front,  lielow,  the  serpent  Python.  Other  figures  too  worn  to  be  recog- 
nizable. 

l'2i)4.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  surd — A  Faun  Educating  a  Younger  One. 
1205.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass  Cameo — A  Rude  Mask. 


ANTIQUE  PASTES.  745 

1206.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  sapphire  with  patina — A  beautiful  Head  of  a 
Faim. 

1'207.  Antique  Pade  Cameo,  color  sapphire — A  Lion,  emblem  of  power.    Superb 
iridescence. 

1208.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  ruby — Roma.     Very  fine. 

1209.  Antique  Iridescent  Glas.-; — Venus  on  a  Shell. 

1210.  Antique  Paste — An  Oriental  Dignitary,  two  faces.     Beautiful  patina  and 

iridescence. 

1211.  Antique  Enamel  Paste — An   Egyptian,    and   characteristic   face.     Was 

found  inlaid  in  a  niuniniy-case. 

1212.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Btill.     Rich  iridescence. 
121o.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — Geta,  brother  of  Caracalla. 

1214.  Antique  Pade  Intaglio — Homer. 

1215.  Antique  Paste   Intaglio — Ulysses   and   Penelope.     Beautifully   striated, 

emerald  tint  with  iridescence. 

1216.  Fragment  of  a  Large  Antique  Paste  Cameo — An  Arm,  with  a  fish  in  hand. 

1217.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  deep  sard,  with  figure  in  relief — Mounted  War- 

rior with  Spear,  attacked  by  a  species  of  dragon.     Fragment  worn  I)y 
time. 

1218.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  lajji.i  lazuli — Amor  drawn  in  a  quadriga  by 

four  goats. 

CASE    XXX. 

1219.  Antique  Paste — A  Warrior  Returning  with  his  Trophies.   An  important 

fragment  of  a  large  cameo  covered  with  Ijlue  enamel. 

On  his  sliield  is  the  head  of  a  bull.  The  one  below  is  of  a  prisoner ;  the 
small  dragon's  head  is  part  of  a  iinisical  instrument.  Four  or  five  centuries  before 
Christ,  when  the  warriors  brought  Ijack  trophies,  they  were  placed  in  the  temple 
of  Jupiter  Feretrius.     (Presented  to  me  by  Scalambrini,  Eome.) 

1220.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — An  Angel's  Head  in  Clouds.     Fragment. 

1221.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Apollo  Guiding  the  Chariot  of  the  Sun.     Four 

horses.     Very  fine. 

1222.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  blue  enamel  on  sard — Aurora  in  her  Chariot. 

1223.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  ruby — Genius  of  the  Chase. 

1224.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Gladiator. 

1225.  Fragment  of  an  Antique  Bronze  Ring,  with  an  antique  paste  cameo — 

Cupid. 


746  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1226.  Antique  Pmic  Iiii<ir/!i(> — An  Ass  and  a  Goat,  feeding  from  a  tree. 

I'I'Il.  Antique  Fade  Cunva — A  Very  Grotesque  Mask,  with  iriilesceiice.     The 
patina  gives  it  ahnost  a  metallic  ajipearanee. 

1228.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  pale  sard — A  Lion,  eiiilik'in  <if  force. 

1229.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  emerald — Ulysses  and  Menelaus. 

They  went  together  to  Troy  to  iiidute  the  Trojans  to  restore  Helen  and  lier 
treasures.     Beautifnl  intaglio  and  iridescence. 

1230.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  rich  topaz  tint — Medusa. 

1231.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Swine. 
12.32.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — A  Dolphin. 

1233.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Wild  Boar. 

1234.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Gold    ring.      The   Incident  of   Troy:    .Eiiea.s 

e.scaping  from  burning  Troy  with  his  father  Aiiehises  on  his  shoul- 
ders ;  Ascanius,  his  son.  following. 

1235.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  dark  sard — -Castor. 

He  was  famous  for  liis  skill  in  taming  and  managing  horses. 

1236.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Orestes  and  his  Sister  Electra,  who  saved  his 

life  when  his  father,  Agameuniou,  was  niurdorcd  by  /Egisthus  and 
Clytsemnestra. 

CASE    YYY. 

1237.  Antique  Paste — Medusa.     A  fragment  in  antique  paste;  very  indistinct 

from  age;  found  at  Cum:e  imbedded  in  lava.     Finished  in  plaster  and 
tinted  by  the  collector. 

If  held  to  the  light  the  beantifnl  sapphire  color  can  be  seen  where  I  have 
removed  tlie  lava.  Also  notice  the  rich  bhie  color  of  the  small  piece  partially 
cleared  of  lavii,  which  I  have  broken  from  Xo.  1237  and  snspended  by  a  wire. 

Three  Gorgons  are  mentioned  :  Stheno,  Enryale,  and  Medii.sa,  daughters  of 
Phoroys  and  Ceto.  They  were  frightful  beings;  instead  of  hair  their  heads 
were  covered  with  hissing  serpents,  and  they  had  wings,  brazen  claws,  and  enor- 
mous teeth.  Medusa,  who  alone  of  her  sisters  was  mortal,  was  at  lirst  a  beautiful 
maiden,  but  her  hair  was  changed  into  serpents  by  Athena,  she  having  become  the 
mother  of  Pegasus.  Her  head  now  became  so  fearful  that  every  one  who  looked  at 
it  was  changed  into  stone.  This  head  of  Medusa  was  often  placed  in  the  centre  of 
shields  and  breastplates. 

1238.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  rich  sapphire — Minerva,  seated  leaning  on 

her  shield.     Patina  and  iridescence. 

1239.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  striated  emenilil — Victory. 

The  wings  of  Victory  are  clipped ;  the  sentiment  was,  "  Having  Victory,  let 
VIS  keep  her  with  us."     Beautiful  iridescence. 


ANTIQUE  PASTES.  747 

1240.  Antique  PaMe  Cameo— The  Infant  Bacchus  on  a  Goat. 

1241.  Antique  Pade  Intarjlio — The  Couch  of  Venus,  nymph  in  attendance. 

1242.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  in  hit/It  relief — Incognito. 

1243.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — A  Philosopher.     Worn  by  time. 

1244.  Antique  PaMe  Cameo — A  Faun  Caressing  a  Goat. 

1245.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Cupid  and  Psyche,  two  figure.?.     Opalescent. 

1246.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Nymphs  Bathing.     Second  century. 

1247.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — A  Scenic  Mask. 

1248.  Antique  Paste — A  Boar  Attacked  hy  a  Lioness.     An  intaglio. 

Twii  transverse  sunken  lines  maybe  observed  in  tliis  intaglio;  tbis  is  where 
the  paste  is  worn  away  wilh  centuries  of  time,  because  tlie  colors  in  that  part  ren- 
dered it  more  perishable. 

1249.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  pale  green  on  red — A  Bacchante. 

1250.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  fine  color — Evidently  a  Sacrifice.     A  fragment. 

1251.  An  Antique  Fibula,  bronze  inlaid  with  gold  ornamentation,  containing  an 

antique  paste  intaglio  representing  Romulus  and  Remus  and  the  She- 
Wolf.     Interesting.     Of  the  second  century  a.  d. 

1252.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — A  Sphinx,  representing  the  Emperor  Augustus. 

1253.  A  Paste  of  Antique  Red  Jasper— Sw^iter  Tonans,  seated,  holding  in  his 

hand  an  effigy  of  the  youthful  Bacchus,  his  favorite  bird  at  his  feet. 
An  exrpii.sitely  fine  intagli<i;  also  beautiful  color  and  iridescence. 

1254.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — A  Lion's  Head. 

1255.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  white  on  pale  rubi) — Silenus  and  Bacchus. 

1256.  Antique  Paste — A  Greek  Antique.     Full  face,  yellow  ground;  fragment 

worn  by  time. 

1257.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — A  Goat. 

1258.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Livia,  wife  of  Augustus.     Remarkable  colors. 

1259.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — lole. 

1260.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  rich  sard — Hercules  in  Repose.     Superb 

patina  and  iridescence. 

1261.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  ruby — Cupid  on  a  Goat. 

CASE    ZZZ. 

1262.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  sapphire — A  Hippogriff. 

In  ancient  times  the  symbol  of  tlie  cu.stodian  of  a  secret,  and  so  used  as  a  seal 
on  private  manuscripts.     Beautiful  green  patina  and  iridescence. 


748  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1263.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  ii<hiic  fi<jiu-e!t  on  pnle  ruby  fond — Apollo  Guid- 

ing the  Chariot  of  the  Sun. 

1264.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — Medusa. 

1265.  Antique  Paste,  bronze  ring,  of  first  century,  intaglio — Orestes  and  Elec- 

tra,  his  sister.     (See  No.  1236.) 

1266.  Antique  Paste  IntofjUo — A  Winged  Mask,  in  profile. 

1267.  Antique  Paste  Intof/lio — A  Chimera — an  ostrich  witli  a  liorse's  heail  and 

legs. 

1268.  Antique  Paste  Inlar/lio — A  Faun.     Fine  green  iridescence. 

1269.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  sapphire — Two  Masks,  obverse  and  reverse; 

both  patina  and  iridescence. 

1270.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Scenic  Mask. 

1271.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass — A  Scenic  Mask. 

1272.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Two  Peacocks  at  a  Fountain. 

1273.  Antique  Enamel — Contest  between  an  Eagle  and  a  Serpent. 

1274.  Antique  Paste  Litngliu — Aurora,  her  chariot  drawn  by  four  horses.    Very 

minute  and  tine. 

1275.  Aidique   Paste  Infiir/Iia,  color   inirrald  sfriatrd   witli  black  and  white — A 

Devotional  Figure  Bowing  before  an  Altar. 

1276.  Antique  Enamel — Symbolic  Seal,  tlic  foot  of  Mercury  pressing  on  a  but- 

terfly. 

A  butterfly  the  emblem  of  the  soid.  The  soul,  after  death  and  quitting 
Charon's  care,  was  conducted  to  Paradise  oi-  to  Inferno.  Mercury  has  wings  on 
his  feet,  emblematic  of  the  velocity  with  which  he  fulfils  his  errand  to  heaven  or 
to  tlie  Inferno. 

1277.  Antique  Pasle  Intaglio — A  Chimera.     Very  ingenious. 

A  helmet,  embossed  with  a  tiger  attacking  an  elephant,  mounted  on  his  back, 
holding  on  with  claws  and  teeth.  Their  tails  form  the  descending  lines  of  the 
crest  of  the  helmet.  I  studied  this  for  a  long  time,  and  so  have  other  connois- 
seurs; at  last  I  divined  the  subject  as  above. 

1278.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio,  color  topaz — A  Galleria,  or  ancient  rowboat ;  a 

dove  .soaring  above. 

1279.  Antique  Paste  Cameo — Head  of  the  Dead  Christ. 

1280.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — A  Bull.     This  scarabeus  is  pierced  and  has  been 

worn  as  an  amulet. 

1281.  Antique  Iridescent  Glass  Cameo — -A  Grotesque  Scenic  Mask. 

1282.  Antique  Enamel — A  Mask,  witli  hole  for  necklace. 


AMBERS.  749 

1283.  Antique  Paste  Cameo,  color  sapphire — Two  Masks,  obverse  and  reverse. 

1284.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Worshipping  an  Idol. 

1285.  Antique  Paste — Ceres.     A  very  fine  and  beautiful  intaglio. 

1286.  Aniiqiit:  Paste  Seal — A  Matrimonial  Alliance. 

1287.  Antique  Paste  Intaglio — Faith.     Bronze  rinu'  of  the  first  century.     (See 

No.  881,  Case  CCC.)     Very  fine  and  minute. 

CASE    AAA  A. 

1288.  Grand  Cameo  in  Paste  of  Chalcedony — The  Claudius  Family. 

Claudius'  full  name  was  Nero  Claudius  Drusiis.  Ou  the  left,  his  father,  Tib. 
Claudius  Nero,  and  his  mother,  Livia.  On  tlie  right,  Nero  Claudius  Drusiis  and 
his  wife  Antonia.     A  superb  gem. 


AMBERS. 

CASE     BBBB. 

1289.  Amber  Cameo — Venus  Lamenting  over  the  Body  of  Adonis,  wounded  by 

the  wild  boar,  that  is  running  away. 

Curious  rude  work  of  the  fourteenth  century.     (From  the  Possenti  Collection 
of  Fabriano.) 

1290.  Amber  Cameo — Venus  with  Adonis  before  the  Chase. 

(_'urious  work  of  the  llnn-teeiith  ceuturv.     (From  the  Possenti  Collection  of 
Fabriano.) 

1291.  Amber  Cameo — The  Education  of  the  Infant  Bacchus. 

This  grand  cameo  of  the  si.xteenth  centurv  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable;  in 
fact,  very  few  of  its  dimensions  and  quality  e-tist.     (See  "  Education  of  Bacchus," 

page  .332.) 

1292.  Amber  Cameo — Jael,  the  wife  of  Heber  the  Kenite,  striking  the  nail  into 

Sisera's  head  after  the  battle  of  the  plain  of  Zaanaim  (Judges  iv.  21). 

Curious  work  of  the  fourteenth  century.     I  From  the  Possenti  Collection  of 
Fabriano.) 

1293.  Amber  Cameo — Cleopatra  Dying  from  the  Sting  of  the  Asp. 

Also  fourteenth  centurv.     (From  the  Possenti  Collection  of  Fabriano.) 


CASE    CCCC. 

1294.  Amber  Ca»ieo— Grand  Duchess  Alexandrina  of  Mecklenburg. 

1295.  Amber  Cameo — A  Grotesque  Head. 


750  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1296.  Amber  Cameo — Grand  Duke  Paul  of  Mecklenburg. 

1297.  Amber — Fire.     An  allegorical  cameo  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

1298.  Amber  Otmeo — The  Vintage,  bringing  in  the  grapes.     Of  the  sixteenth 

century. 

1299.  Amber — Air,  an  allegorical  cameo  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

1300.  Amber  Cameo — Princess  Marianne,   \vife   of   Prince   Frederick   of  the 

Netherlands. 

1301.  Amber  Cameo — Incognito.     Worn  by  age. 

1302.  Amber  Litaglio — A  House,  Bridge,  etc.    Unique;  of  the  fifteenth  century. 

1303.  Amber  Cameo — ^Frederick  the  Great.     A  rude  head. 

1304.  Amber  Cameo — Prince  Frederick  of  the  Netherlands. 

CASE    DDDD. 

1305.  Amber  Cameo — Elizabeth  of  Prussia,  as  Crown  Princess. 
130(5.  Amber  Cameo — -A  Portrait,  the  head  covered  with  mail. 

1307.  Amber  Cameo — Frederick  William  of  Prussia,  as  Crown  Prince. 

1308.  Amber — Earth,  an  allegorical  cameo  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

1309.  Amber — Wine,  an  allegorical  cameo  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

1310.  Amber — Water,  an  allegorical  cameo  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

1311.  Amber — The  Empress  Charlotte  of  Russia. 

1312.  Amber  Cameo — A  Child's  Head.     Of  the  sixteenth  century. 

1313.  Amber  Cameo — Helmeted  Bust  of  Achilles. 

1314.  Amber  Cameo — A  Child's  Head.     Of  the  sixteenth  century. 

1315.  Amber — Prince  William  of  Prussia. 

CASE    EEEE. 

1316.  Amber  Cameo — Diana  Conservatrice. 

1317.  Amber  Cameo — Power,  sixteenth  century. 

1318.  Amber  Camen — Ruin,  sixteenth  century. 

1319.  Amber  Camen — Faith,  sixteenth  century. 

1320.  Amber  Cameo — Agriculture. 

1321.  Amber  Cameo — Fidelity,  sixteenth  century. 


CAMEOS.  751 

1322.  Amber  Cameo — Maternity,  sixteenth  century. 

1.323.  Amber  Cameo — Hope,  sixteenth  century. 

1324.  Amber — A  Necklace,  found  in  the  ruins  of  Cunia\  on  the  hill  of  Mount 
flaurus.  near  Misenuni.    Tliis  ornament  was  probably  cut  b.  v.  2U(J. 


CAMEOS. 
CASE    FFFF. 


1325.  Aiifirjue  Oriental  Alabaster — Jupiter  Serapis. 

This  remarkable  cameo  laid  many  years  in  tlie  Depoletti  Collection  at  Rome; 
no  one  woiilJ  pay  its  price,  and  when  at  last  it  came  into  my  possession  its  beanty 
was  unrecognizable.  It  was  thickly  coated  with  a  dark  gray  and  black  tartar,  and 
tlie  dust  of  more  than  two  thousand  years  had  settled  into  the  engraved  parts. 
Just  before  leaving  Rome  I  decided  to  have  it  scoured  with  emery-powder  by  a 
lapidary.  On  account  of  the  difficulty  of  removing  from  Rome  valuable  objects 
of  antiquity,  I  was  compelled  to  leave  it  with  my  friend,  Costantino  Lanzi,  a 
Roman  learned  in  the  glyptic  art  and  archa?ology.  When  this  friend  attended  to 
the  transportation  of  this  cameo  to  me  at  Paris,  his  letter  commenced  with  these 
words  in  Italian:  "Finally,  Jupiter,  'the  best  and  most  high'  of  the  Esquiline 
Mount,  after  centuries  of  repose  on  his  native  hills  has  taken  his  flight  for  La 
(ialliii  (France).  May  he  arrive  safely  and  prosperously  in  Lutetia  (Paris)."  I 
may  add,  Jupiter  has  now  crossed  the  broad  Atlantic,  and  has  found  an  asylum 
on  the  continent  of  Quetzalcoatl. 

CASE    GGGG. 

These  cameos  (No.?.  1326  to  13.51 )  were  the  subjects  of  basso- 
rilievos  which  once  adorued  a  triuinjihal  arch  erected  in  honor  of 
Trajan.  In  the  reign  of  Constantine  these  subjects  were  removed 
and  employed  to  ornament  the  new  Arch  of  Constantine. 

This  series  of  cameos,  except  two  numbers,  1327  and  1330,  "Tlie 
Orient"  and  "Tlie  Occident,"  are  all  works  of  tlie  most  eminent  artists 
of  the  epoch  of  Trajan.  They  represent  the  pleasures  of  the  hunt, 
the  wars,  and  other  incidents  in  the  life  of  Trajan. 

1326.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan. 

M.  Ulpius  Trajanus  was  Emperor  of  Rome  from  A.  d.  98  to  117. 
Trajan  receives  the  son  of  the  King  of  Armenia,  who  supplicates  him  to  make 
restitution  of  the  kingdom. 

1327.  Oriental  Alabaster— The  Orient,  the  East. 

1328.  Oriental  Alabaster — An  Allocution  of  Trajan  to  the  commandants  of  the 

cohorts  of  his  army. 


752  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

CASE    HHHH. 

i;329.   Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  giving  a  King  to  the  Parthians. 
ISoO.   Oriental  Alnbaster—The  Occident,  the  West. 

1331.  Oriental  Alabader — Trajan,  accompanied  by  Annona  and  Pieta,  returns 

conqueror  of  the  Daciaus  to  Rome,  and  gives  back  to  her  the  empire. 
Annona  was  tlie  goddess  of  the  provision  for  tlie  year,  especially  snperintend- 
ing  the  harvests  of  fruits  and  grain ;  Pieta,  the  goddess  presiding  over  religion, 
as  her  name  signifies. 

CASE    II 1 1. 

1332.  Oriental  Alabaster — Decebalus,  King  of  the  Dacians. 

He  instigates  one  of  liis  subjects,  a  pretended  deserter,  to  go  to  Rome  and  assas- 
sinate the  emperor.  Tlie  man  is  discovered,  arrested,  and  conducted  into  the  pres- 
ence of  Trajan  to  be  condemned. 

1333.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  Bestowing  the  Conciario — the  distribution 

of  grain  to  tlie  peojile. 

1334.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  at  the  Hunt,  killing  a  great  bear. 

1335.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  making  a  Sacrifice  to  Silvanus.  consisting  of 

corn,  meat,  milk,  wine,  and  pigs  ;  the  ceremony  is  accomptinied  by 
fumigation. 

CASE    JJJJ. 

1336.  Oriental  Alabaster — The  Sacrifice  Suovetaurilius. 

This  consisted  in  tlie  oflering  of  an  ox,  a  pig,  and  a  ram. 

1337.  Oriental  Alabaster — The  Via  Trajana  and  the  Triumphal  Arch  erected 

in  that  street  by  the  Senate  and  the  Roman  people  to  the  Em]ieror 
Trajan.  The  woman  with  a  wheel  in  her  hand  represents  the  Via 
Trajana. 

1338.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  Sacrificing  to  Apollo. 

1339.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  Pursuing  a  Wild  Boar. 

CASE    KKKK. 

1340.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  Conquers  the  Dacians. 

1341.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan   Charging   on   the  Dacians,   crushing   and 

destroying  them. 

1342.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  has  Killed  a  Lion. 

1343.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan's  Hunting  Retinue,  the  servants  who  guarded 

his  dogs  and  horses. 


MISCELLANEOrS   CAMEOS.  753 

CASE    LLLL. 

1344.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  Assaults  the  Dacians. 

1345.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan,  viftorious,  returns  to  the  city,  and  is  erovned 

by  Roma  and  \'ictory. 

1346.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan,  affixing  tlie  head  of  a  wild  boar  to  a  tree  as 

a  votive  ofiiring  to  Diana. 

1347.  Oriental  Alabaster — Trajan  Offering  a  Sacrifice  to  Mars  Vincitore. 

CASE    MM  MM. 

1348.  Oriental  Alabastir — The  Triumphal  Entry  of  Titus  Vespasianus  into 

Jerusalem.     Twenty-two  figures  are  visible  on  this  cameo.     (Fmni 
the  Zanetti  Collection,  Venice.) 

1349.  Oriental  Alabaster — The  Exit  from  Jerusalem,  with  the  booty,  of  the  vic- 

torious army  of  Titu.~  VesiKisianus.     Nineteen  figures  are  visible  on 
this  cameo.     (From  the  Zanetti  Collection.) 

1350.  Oriental  Alabaster — A  Group  of  Jewish  Prisoners.     Their  arms  are  pin- 

ioned.     (From  the  Zanetti  Collection.) 

1351.  Oriental  Alabaster— A  Group  of  Jewish  Prisoners.      Their   arms   are 

bound  behind  them.     (From  the  Zanetti  Collection.) 


MISCELLANEOUS    CAMEOS. 

CASE    NNNN. 

1352.  Onij-r — A  Young  Roman  consulting  the  God  Terminus. 

1353.  Jasjjer-Ont/x — A  Carthaginian  Cameo,  probably  a  representation  of  the 

^lemnonii. 

1354.  Sardonyx — Hercules,  seated,  with  club,  lion's  skin,  and  vigorous  young 

tree,  also  emblematic  of  his  power. 

1355.  Chalceclonij-Onyx — A  Eoman  Bearded  Mask. 

1356.  &rcZo»i2/x— Claudius,  fifth  Emperor  of  Rome. 

CASE    OOOO. 

1357.  Sardonyx— The  Two  Genii,  Astuzia  and  Ingenuita. 

The  genius  Astuzia  is  symbolic  of  knavery,  and  the  genius  Ingenuita  is  sym- 


754  SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 

bolic  of  ingenuousness.  The  genius  of  ingeuuo\isness  stands  before  his  large 
basket  heaping  full  of  oranges;  he  is  startled  by  an  ajiparltion  in  tlie  form  of  a 
bodiless  head  ormask  as  tall  as  be,  the  beard,  touching  the  ground  as  it  advances, 
of  course  concealing  the  genius  of  knavery.  Tlie  mouth  is  open,  and  instead  of  a 
tongue  a  human  arm  and  hand  protrude,  and  the  hand  gathers  the  oranges. 

1358.  Cli<ilr,<lonij-Onyx—'Bacch\xs  and  Ariadne,  Cupid,  and  Ariadne's  Panther. 

Ariadne  has  been  deserted  by  Theseus;  liacchus  discovers  her,  and,  placing 
his  hand  on  her  shoulder,  promises  to  care  for  her.     (See  "France,"  page  37G.) 

1359.  Micii/atnl  Aijitte-Oinjx — The  Fall  of  Phaethon,  with  the  Zodiac. 

A  belt  occupies  the  centre  field  of  the  gem,  touching  the  horizon,  ecliptic  in 
form,  because  the  line  of  the  direction  of  the  rising  sun  appears  to  be  a  shorter 
diameter  lliau  that  from  north  to  south.  How  often  at  sunrise  or  at  evening  have 
1  inuigiueil  that  the  great  orb  was  almost  within  my  reach  !  The  under  or  south- 
ern side  of  this  belt  is  less  boldly  indicated,  giving  tlie  etl'ect  of  roundness  and  of 
distance,  while  the  upper  northern  section  is  given  in  higher  relief. 

Throughout  the  belt  are  engraved  the  signs  or  cliaracters  of  the  Zodiac; 
these  are  e.tcpiisitely  delineated.  Among  the  signs  more  easily  discerned  are 
Taurus  on  the  right,  Aries,  Pisces,  Capricornus,  Scorpio,  Libra,  Leo,  and  Gemini. 
In  the  upper  field  of  the  cameo  are  the  planets.  Boreas  tlie  north  wind,  and  Jupi- 
ter with  his  eagle ;  in  the  lower  field  is  the  river  Po,  the  sea,  the  sisters,  the  pop- 
lars, and  (.'ygnus,  forming  together  the  gem  illustration  of  the  following  legend: 

Phaethon,  son  of  Helios  (Apollo)  and  Clymene,  playing  one  day  with  Epaso 
had  a  dispute.  Epaso  reproached  Phaethon,  saying,  "  You  are  not  the  son  of 
Helios,  a.s  you  pretend."  Phaethon,  provoked,  went  to  lament  with  his  mother, 
Clymene,  who  counselled  him  to  go  to  his  father  to  inform  himself  more  certainly. 
Phaethon  entered  into  the  palace  of  the  Sun,  and  found  his  father  seated  on  his 
throne  brilliant  with  gold  .ind  gems.  As  soon  :is  .\pollo  saw  him  enter  and  heard 
him,  with  benign  countenance  he  swore  to  accord  biiii,  in  evidence  of  his  paternal 
affection,  wiiatever  might  be  his  request. 

The  presumptuous  son  asked  tliat  he  might  be  permitted  to  guide  his  father's 
chariot  for  the  space  of  twenty-four  hours.  .Apollo  remonstrated  with  him,  but 
was  powerless  to  dissuade  him  from  his  imprudent  intention  ;  contrary  to  his  better 
judgment,  he  finally  consented,  and  consigned  his  chariot  to  Phaethon,  after  hav- 
ing instructed  him  in  all  that  he  sliould  do.  Phaethon  had  but  begun  his  career 
on  the  horizon  when  the  horses,  becoming  disobedient  to  the  hand  of  their  new 
conductor,  who  was  unable  to  check  them,  were  soon  unmanageable,  and  Phaethon 
was  thrown  from  the  chariot;  he  fell  into  the  sea  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Po, 
and  was  drowned. 

The  two  sisters  and  Epaso  grieved  and  wept  at  his  fatal  misadventure;  their 
tears  were  changed  into  beads  of  amber.  The  Heliada-,  bis  sisters,  who  had  aided 
him  at  his  departure,  were  metamorphosed  into  poplar  trees,  and  his  friend  into  a 
swan  (Cygnus),  by  which  name  he  is  known  in  the  legend. 

All  these  incidents  are  engraved  on  the  cameo  and  are  recognizable  under  a 
magnifying-glass.     (See  also  antique  paste  intaglio.  No.  1192,  Case  V  VV.) 

1360.  Chalci'duiii/-Oiii/.c — Ajax,  Achilles,  and  Ulysses.     A  very  fine  antique. 

The  propitiatory  sacrifice  preceding  the  ilcparlnre  of  .\iax,  .\chilles,  and  Ulys- 
ses for  the  war  of  Troy.  There  are  two  sacerdotals — one  in  the  act  of  pouring  a 
libation,  the  other  giving  countenance  to  the  ceremony  by  his  presence. 


ASSYRIAN  AND  BABYLONIAN    CYLINDERS.  755 

CASE    PPPP. 

1361.  Maculated  <)inj.c — Desultor. 

This  name  was  Kiven  by  the  Greeks  to  a  class  of  men  who  solved  the  mys- 
teries of  the  orjj;ies  of  Bacclius,  which,  however,  were  not  to  l)e  made  known  to  the 
people.  They  were  also  gamesters,  taking  risks  on  tlie  chances  of  the  race-conrse. 
It  Wiis  they  who  laiireated  the  victorious  horses. 

1362.  Onyx — A  remarkable  Jewish  Head,  subject  incognito. 

1363.  Surd — The  Rape  of  Proserpine  by  Pluto. 

Meicnry  is  prol>ably  introduced  as  guiding  tlie  horses  or  running  before  them, 
because  he  was  sent  by  Jupiter  to  Erebus  to  persuade  Pluto  to  let  Proserpine  come 
to  the  light. 

1364.  Chalcedoiiij-Oinjx — Achilles    causing   Astyanax,   son   of  Hector,  to   be 

thrown  into  the  sea,  regardless  of  the  tears  of  his  mother  Andro- 
mache. 

1365.  Pale  Sard — Charming  Laughing  Faun, 


ASSYKIAN    AND    BABYLONIAN    CYLINDERS. 

CASE     QQQQ. 

1366.  Chalcedony — Assyrian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.031  m. ;  diameter,  0.015  in. 

A  bearded  deity,  witii  long  hair,  no  headdress,  with  a  short  undergarment  and 
a  longer  outer  mbe;  with  one  naked  leg  advanced;  holds  by  each  hand  a  griffin 
by  the  front  leg.  The  griffins  have  a  beardless  human  face,  the  wings  of  a  Ijird, 
and  the  body  of  a  lion.  In  the  field  is  a  tisb,  a  tcreic,  and  an  object  resendjling  an 
eye  under  an  eyebrow.  Wrought  with  the  point  and  wheel,  and  in  excellent  pres- 
ervation.    Circ.  600  B.  c. 

A.  Plader  Imjiremion  of  No.  1-306. 

1367.  Hematitr — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.017  in.;  diameter,  0.008  m. 

Seated  god,  in  a  low  hat  and  a  long  robe,  with  one  hand  lifted.  Above  his 
head  is  the  crescent,  and  below  is  a  small  kangaroo-like  animal.  Before  the  god 
are  two  worshippers  in  long  robes  and  with  their  hands  folded  across  their  breasts. 
Between  them  is  a  small  object  shaped  like  a  chopping-knife,  and  below  it  a  rod 
with  a  protuberance  in  the  middle  (balance?).  Two  lines  of  inscription,  "Shamash 
Aa." '  Wrought  with  the  jioint  and  but  little  worn  ;  but  in  later  times  some  one 
has  inscribed  four  deep  dots  with  the  drill.     Circ.  1000  B.  c. 

B.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1307. 

1368.  Green   Jasper — Babylonian   Cylinder.      Length,  0.0285   m. ;    diameter, 

0.016  ni.,  sliglitly  coneave. 

A  seated  bearded  god  in  a  low  romid  caji  ami  long  flounced  robe,  holding  in 
one  hand  a  vase.    Before  him  a  female  divine  attendant,  with  a  high-pointed  tiara, 

'  Aa,  wife  of  Shamash. 


756  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

hair  in  a  fold  behind,  and  long  flounced  dress,  with  one  hand  lifted  in  adoration, 
leads  by  the  hand  a  bareheaded  human  figure  in  a  long  fringed  robe,  with  one 
hand  lifted.  Before  the  god  is  the  sun  within  the  crescent,  and  below  it  a  bird 
like  a  crane.  There  are  three  lines  of  arcliaic  inscription.  Very  finely  wrought 
with  the  point,  and  in  good  condition,  except  that  the  inscription  appears  to  have 
been  purposely  defaced.     Circ.  2000  to  3000  b.  c. 

C.  Plaster  Lnpixxxioti  of  No.  13tjS. 

1369.  Hematite — Babylonian  Cylinder,     Lengtli,  0.025  m. ;  diameter,  0.013  in., 

slightly  concave. 

Figure  with  one  hand  drawn  back,  the  other  across  the  breast,  beardless,  bare- 
headed, in  a  robe  reaching  to  the  knee.  Before  him  a  worshipper  in  a  low  hat 
and  a  long  robe,  with  one  hand  raised  in  adoration.  A  third  figure,  facing  the 
other  way,  naked,  with  one  hand  lifted.  Tliere  are  two  lines  of  inscription, 
"Shama,sh  Aa."  The  first  two  figures  are  wrought  with  the  point.  The  first  dif- 
fers from  the  ordinary  representation  of  this  god  in  being  bareheaded  and  having 
no  wand.  The  third  figure  is  wrought  with  the  wheel,  and  appears  to  be  consid- 
erably later.  In  good  preservation,  but  with  Haws  in  the  stone.  Perhaps  700  to 
1000  B.  c. 

D.  Plicster  Impression  of  No.  1309. 

1370.  Serpentine — Cyprian  (T)  Cylinder.     Lengtli,  0.02.5  m. ;  diameter,  0.01  m. 

Three  Iituunii  figures,  one  of  them  in  a  long  robe,  the  others  in  short  robes; 
all  of  them,  probably,  with  both  hands  lifted ;  upright  irregidar  lines  between 
them.  Deeply  and  very  rudely  cut  with  the  point,  and  in  good  condition.  Per- 
haps 400  B.  c. 

E.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1370. 

1371.  Hematite — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Lenutli,  0.016  m. ;  diameter,  0.012-5  m. 

The  god  Sliaiuasli,  with  one  foot  lifted,  with  a  high-pointed  turban,  bearded, 
holding  in  one  hand  a  notched  weapon.  Before  him,  a  bearded  worshipper,  in 
a  long  robe  and  with  a  low  round  hat,  presents  a  goat.  Behind  him,  the  goddess 
Aa,  with  high-pointed  turban  and  flounced  dress,  with  both  hands  raised.  A  col- 
umn, on  which  is  a  small  naked  man,  .standing  on  his  head.  The  crescent  over  a 
small  naked  dancing  figm-e.  A  seated  ape-like  animal  over  a  column.  Wrought 
with  the  point  and  slightly  worn.     Circ.  1000  B.  c. 

F.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1371. 

1372.  i/e»if//(7f— Babylonian  Cylinder.     Lenutli.  0.019  m. ;  diameter,  0.012  m, 

Seated  god  with  two-horned  tiara,  bearded,  flounced  robe,  with  his  feet  resting 
on  a  goat,  and  with  one  hand  extended.  Above  his  hand  is  a  crescent  and  a  small 
animal.  Before  him  stands  a  beardless  deity  in  a  two-horned  tiara  and  a  long  robe, 
with  hands  across  the  breast  and  with  a  stream  flowing  from  each  shoulder.  Behind 
this  deity  a  human  figure  with  a  horned  cap,  one  hand  lifted,  the  other  across  the 
breast,  in  a  short  fringed  robe.  Tlien  a  vase  over  a  rod  with  a  protuberance  in  the 
middle  (balance?!,  and  tlie  goddess  Aa,  in  a  two-horned  tiara  and  a  long  flounced 
robe,  with  both  hands  lifted.  An  upright  serpent  and  an  object  like  a  rake  or  long 
comb.     Cut  with  the  point  and  in  good  condition.     Circ.  1000  to  1.500  B.  c. 

G.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1372. 


ASSYEIAX  AND  BABYLOXIAX   CYLINDERS.  757 

CASE    RRRR. 

1373.  Henudite — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.027  in. ;  diameter,  0.014  m., 

slightly  concave. 

A  god  with  liand  tlinnvn  b.ick,  holding  in  tlie  otliei-  a  wand,  in  a  low  roniid 
cap  and  a  short  robe.  Beliind  him  two  lines  of  inscription,  and  a  third  line  has 
been  efi'aced.  The  large  vacant  space  has  been  at  a  later  time  partly  tilled  witli  a 
crescent,  and  the  double  zigzag  (thunderbolt?)  wrought  with  the  wheel ;  the  earlier 
portion  being  wrought  with  the  point,  and  in  good  condition.     Circ.  1000  B.  c. 

A.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1S7.3. 

1374.  Hematite — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.026  m. ;  diameter,  0.014  m. 

A  god  w  ilh  one  hand  drawn  back,  low  roinid  cnp,  and  short  robe.  Before  liim 
the  goddess  Aa,  with  both  hands  raised  and  in  a  long  flounced  robe.  Between  them 
a  small  bird,  a  crook,  and  a  small  goat.  Behind  the  goddess  a  star  over  a  column 
with  a  triangular  top  (fire-altar?).  Zarpanit,  naked,  front  view,  with  hands  across 
her  breast.  Three  line.s  of  inscription.  Wrought  with  the  point  and  in  good  con- 
dition, except  for  a  slight  flaw  in  the  stone.     Circ.  800  to  1000  B.  c. 

B.  Piaster  Imjjre.moii  of  No.  1374. 

1375.  Dark  Serpentine — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,   0.025  m. ;  diameter, 

0.013  m.,  slightly  conrave. 

A  seated  deity,  beardless,  with  a  full  chin,  the  hair  looped  up  behind  and  tied 
with  a  knot,  in  a  long  fringed  robe,  with  one  hand  e.xtended,  apparently  holding  a 
low  flat  vase.  Above  the  hand  a  star.  Before  the  deity  a  standing  figure  with  the 
same  coiffure  and  dress,  with  one  hand  advanced  and  the  other  across  the  breast. 
There  follow  three  identical  figures  with  the  same  coifiiire  and  dress,  and  with 
both  hands  across  the  breast.  Kxcellently  cut  « itli  the  point,  and  in  perfect  pres- 
ervation.    Circ.  2000  B.  c. 

C.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1375. 

137(3.  Blaeh  Serpentine — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.035  m. ;  diameter, 
0.023  m.,  concave. 

GLsdubar,  naked  except  for  a  girdle,  and  in  profile,  with  the  usual  three  curls, 
attacks  a  bull  (not  a  bufl^alo),  seizing  him  by  the  neck  and  tail,  lifting  his  foot  on 
its  back.  Gisdubar  repeated  (but  badly  worn)  attacks  a  lion  in  the  same  way. 
Finely  cut  with  the  point,  and  the  lion  somewhat  worn,  though  not  so  much  as  the 
figure  of  Gisdubar  attacking  him.     Circ.  2500  B.  c. 

D.  Pla.iter  Impre-'^sion  of  No.  1376. 

1377.   Chulcedoinj — Assyrian  Cylinder.      Length,   0.028  m. ;    diameter,   0.014 
ru. 

Four-winged  deity,  holding  with  each  band  a  griffin  by  the  fore  leg.  The 
griffin  seems  to  have  a  human  head,  two  wings,  and  a  lion's  body.  In  the  field  a 
crescent  and  a  fish  i?i.  Rudely  wrouglit  with  the  wheel  and  in  good  preservation, 
except  that  the  ends  are  battered.     Circ.  500  B.  c. 

E.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1377. 


758  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1378.  ^ewaiife— Hittite  Cylinder.     Length,  0.018  ni. ;  diameter,  0.0095  m.     A 

border-line  at  the  top  and  the  bottom. 

Two  .similar  figures  nalced,  e.xcept  for  a  girtlle,  facing  eacli  other,  hokling  an 
oliject  like  a  flag  on  a  stafl' before  them.  Before  each  a  small  undetermined  oljject. 
An  ibex  over  a  bird.     Cut  with  the  point,  and  in  good  condition.     Circ.  600  B.  c. 

F.  Planter  Impression  of  No.  1378. 

1379.  ife)ua<('<e— Persian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.012  m. ;  iliameter,  0.009  m. 

A  sacred  tree,  with  three  curved  branches  on  each  si<le  at  the  bottom  and  four 
at  the  top.  On  each  side  an  iliex  rampant,  with  head  turned  l)ack  to  see  a  lion 
which  attacks  him.  A  small  undetermined  object  lietween  the  backs  of  the  lions' 
heads.     Well  cut  with  the  point,  and  in  good  condition.     Circ.  500  B.  c. 

G.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1379. 


PERSIAN     SEALS. 

CASE    SSSS. 

1380.  Hnnatitc — Intaglio  Seal.    A  gerboise,  resembling  a  kangaroo,  with  short 

front  legs  and  hairy  tail. 

A.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1380. 

1381.  C/if(/e«?o)i(/— Intaglio  Seal. 

B.  Plasii'r  Iiiiprrsxiiin  <f  No.  1381. 

1382.  Onyx — Intaglio  Seal.     A  moufflon,  a  large  horned  animal  resembling  a 

ram. 

C.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1382. 

1383.  Pale  Sard — Intaglio  Seal. 

D.  Planter  Impression  of  No.  1383. 

1384.  Chakedoiiij — Intaglio  Seal. 

E.  Phistn-  Imiiressiim  of  No.  1384. 

1385.  Black  Serpentine — Intaglio  Seal. 

F.  Pla.der  Impression  of  No.  1385. 

1386.  Carnelian — Intaglio  Seal. 

G.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1386. 

1387.  CAafcerfo;;//— Intaglio  Seal.     A  moufflon,  a  large  horned  animal  resem- 

bling a  ram. 
H.  Plaster  Impression  of  No.  1387. 

1388.  Chaleedoiii/ — Intaglio  Seal.     Another  moufflon. 
1.  Pla.ster  Impression  of  No.  1388. 


ASSYETAX  AXD  BABYLOXIAX   CYLIXDEES.  759 

CASE    TTTT. 

Case  TTTT  aiul  Case  UUUU  are  reproductions  in  vitreous  paste 
made  in  the  iMtrhteenth  century.  (From  tlie  celebrated  cameos  in  the 
Imperial  Collection  at  Vienna.) 

1389.  Livia. 

Io90.  Augustus,  Emperor  of  Rome. 

13!il.  An  Emperor,  represented  by  a  figure  of  Jupiter  triumphant,  prisoner, 
arnmr,  anil  tropliios. 

1392.  Ptolemy  Philadelphus  and  Arsinoe. 

CASE    UUUU. 

1393.  Hadrian,  Empemr  of  Rome. 

1394.  Neptune  and  other  Figures. 

1395.  Cybele. 

1396.  Augustus  and  the  Deess  Roma. 


AZTEC    OR    MEXICAN. 
CASE    WW. 


1397.  An  Idol. 
1397}.  A  Cholulan. 

1398.  An  Enthroned  Idol,  with  other  symbols. 

1399.  An  Idol. 
1399J.  A  Cholulan. 


ASSYRIAN    AXD    BABYLOXIAX    CYLIXDERS. 

CASE  WWWW. 
1400.  Hematite — Babylonian  Cylinder.  Length,  0.022  m. ;  diameter,  0.011  m. 
Heabani,  with  luiiiian  face  and  the  body  of  a  bull,  holding  a  mace;  the  god- 
dess Aa  in  a  floiniced  dress  and  with  both  hands  lifted  ;  a  god  with  one  hand 
drawn  behind  him  and  the  otiier  across  his  breast,  in  a  short  robe.  Well  wronght 
with  the  point,  but  a  vacant  space  has  been  tilled  later  with  a  seated  figure  reversed, 
holding  a  wavy  rod.  In  good  condition,  except  for  a  hole  made  bv  a  flaw  in  the 
stone.     Purchased  in  Constantinople.     Circ.  1000  u.  c. 

A.   Gutta-percha  Impression  of  Xo.  I4OO. 
36 


760  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1401.  Li fiht -colored  Hematite — Hittite  Cylinder.     Length,  0.010  m. ;  dianiotcr. 

0.01  111. 

Witliin  tlie  usual  bonier-lines  is  a  tree  iiiaile  willi  a  stem,  from  the  top  of 
wliieli  radiate  eiglit  straif;lit  branches  tipiied  with  knobs;  around  the  stem  a  ninn- 
ber  of  .strai,i,'ht  lines  and  semicircles.  Faeini;:  the  tree  on  each  side  is  a  kneelin;,' 
ibe.x  ;  above  them,  a  winged  circle  and  the  lozenge  or  ATt/f.  Executed  rudely  and 
wholly  with  the  wheel ;  in  perfect  preservation.     From  Mardiu.     Circ.  -100  u.  c. 

B.  Giiiia-prrcha  Lnpri'naioii  of  No.  HOI. 

1402.  Dark-Green  Jii.-<jirr — Persian   Cylinder.     Length,   0.023  in.;    diiinieter, 

0.0125  in. 

A  sacred  tree,  and  a  god  each  side  with  its  head  turned  back  ;  a  sl;n'.  Well 
wrought  with  the  point  iimi  wheel,  and  in  good  condition,     fire.  oW)  to  oOO  B.  c. 

C.  Gutta-peri-ha  liiiprexxioii  of  No.  I40'. 

1403.  Hemafite — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Longtii,  (l.l)r.l  m. ;  iliaiuetcr,  0.(11  m. 

The  god,  with  one  hand  drawn  back,  the  other  across  his  breast,  in  a  short 
robe;  in  front  a  Hgure  in  a  flounced  dress,  with  one  hand  across  the  lireasi,  the 
other  reaching  forward  ;  the  goddess  Aa  in  a  long  Hounced  dress  and  with  both 
liands  raised  ;  two  lines  of  inscription.  Wrought  with  the  point ;  somewhat  worn, 
but  clear.     Brought  from  Constantinople.     Circ.  lUOO  u.  <j. 

D.  Chdtn-perclm  Lnprc^sion.  of  No.  IJfiS. 

1404.  Green  Coiiijxirt  Sluli- — Cylinder,  ul  unkiiowii  origin.     Length,  0.046  in.; 

diameter,  0.02  in. 

At  one  end  an  animal  like  a  lion,  with  a  head  like  a  hipiiopolanms,  threatens 
an  ibex,  which  is  upside  down.  The  same  device  is  repeated  at  the  other  end.  In 
the  middle  are  a  star  and  a  serpent.  Very  deeply  cut  with  the  point,  and  in  per- 
fect condition.     From  Mosul.     Date  unknown. 

E.  Gutta-percha  Lnpression  of  No.  l^O'f. 

1405.  //-'(/('(//Vc— Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.018  m. ;  diameter,  0.008  m. 

.\  short-skirled  god  holds  an  iprnamental  trident;  before  him  a  short-skirted 
man,  with  one  hand  lifted  in  worship;  star  over  scorpion;  a  long-skirted  figure 
with  both  hands  ai'ross  the  waist ;  a  crescent  over  a  fire-altar ;  two  short  lines  of 
inscription.  Cut  witli  the  point,  and  in  good  condition.  From  Baghdad.  Circ. 
1000  B.  c. 

F.  Gutla-pcreha  Impression  of  No.  1405. 

1406.  r/irrfoY?o»)/— Hittite  Cylinder.      Length,  0.025  m. ;  diameter,  0.012  m. 

Within  the  usual  border-lines  appear  two  winged  animals  galloping,  two  fishes, 
a  crescent,  a  star,  and  the  lozenge  or  Krtic.  Fairly  engraved  with  the  wheel,  and  in 
fair  preservation,  although  the  surface  is  somewhat  rough.     Circ.  .500  B.  c. 

G.  Gntfii-prrcha  Impression  of  No.  I4OO. 

1407.  Clear  Cli'i/rr<lon;/—mttite  Cylinder.    liength,  0.026  m. ;  diameter,  0.013  m. 

Within  the  usual  border-lines  are — a  winged  disk  over  two  animals:  a  winged 
animal  over  an  animal;  a  lozenge  or.\"f(r;  two  concentric  circles;  a  semicircle. 


ASSYRIAX  AXD  BABYLOXIAX  CYLIXDERS.  761 

All  executed  riulelv  with  the  wheel,  and  in  excellent  preservation.     Brought  from 
Mosul.     C'irc.  500  B.  c. 

11.    Gutta-percha  Impre<slon  of  Xo.  1407. 

CASE    XXXX. 

1408.  Hematite— mttite  Cylinder.     Length,  0.021  in. ;  diameter,  0.0095  in. 

Within  the  usual  Imrder-lines  a  man  seated,  holding  a  .staff;  a  lion  rampant 
over  a  small  animal ;  a  scorpion  over  two  semicircles,  one  of  which  has  a  handle : 
a  lozenge  or  Kreic.  Wrought  verv  rudely  and  wholiy  with  the  wheel ;  in  good  pres- 
ervation,    fire.  400  b.  l'. 

A.  Guttii-penha  Iinpre-v<loa  of  Xu.  I4OS. 

1409.  Serpentine — Assyrian  Cylinder.     Leinrth,  0.026  111. ;  diameter,  0.011  ni. 

A  kneeling  god  shoots  with  a  liow  an  advancing  bidl  ;  crescent,  star;  the  usual 
border-lines  at  top  and  bottom.  Fairly  and  very  deeply  cut  with  the  point ;  in  fair 
condition.     Brought  from  Mosul.     C'irc.  600  to  1000  B.  c. 

B.  Gutta-percha  Impre-<-<ion  of  Xo.  IJ/J'J. 

1410.  Hematitt — Babylonian  Cylinder.     LciiL^h,  (1.(121  in.;  diameter,  0.011  111. 

The  gwl  Shamash  with  one  foot  lifted  on  an  animal,  holding  a  cimeter  and  an 
ornamental  trident ;  the  goddess  Aa  in  a  long  Hoiuiced  dress  and  with  both  hands 
lifted;  a  worshipper  with  one  hand  lifted  ;  behind  the  god  and  facing  him  a  man 
in  a  short  skirt,  with  one  hand  across  his  waist,  the  other  behind  him.  Wrought 
with  the  point,  and  unworn.     Brought  from  Constantinople.    C'irc.  SOO  to  1000  B.  c. 

C.  Gutta-percha  Imprecision  of  Xo.  14  lU. 

1411.  Onyx  (with  cein-^  of   sard) — Assyrian   Cylinder.      Length,  0.0035  m. ; 

diameter,  0.014  m. 

Witinn  border-lines  are  two  winged  sphinxes,  one  each  side  of  a  low  .sacred 
tree;  a  star.  Very  rudely  wrought  with  the  wheel,  in  fairly  good  preservation. 
From  Mardin.     Circ.  .500  b.  c. 

D.  Gutta-percha  Impre-mon  of  Xu.  1411. 

1412.  Soft,  Mottled  Serpentine — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.02  m. ;  diam- 

eter, 0.0165  m. 

A  seated  beardless  deity,  in  a  high  two-horned  hat  and  a  flounced  robe,  with 
one  hand  raised.  An  attendant  deity,  in  a  high  two-horned  hat  and  a  plain  long 
dress,  leads  in  a  beardless,  bareheaded  worshipper  in  a  tringed  robe,  with  one  hand 
raised  in  adoration.  Fairly  wrought  with  the  point,  and  in  fair  condition.  Ob- 
tained in  Constantinople.     Circ.  1000  to  1500  B.  c. 

E.  Gutta-percha  Luj/re!<<ioii  of  Xo.  141~. 

1413.  Lapi-i  Lazuli — Babylonian    Cylinder.      Length,    0.025   m. :    diameter, 

0.012  m. 

Seated  bearded  deity  in  a  low  round  cap  and  a  long  robe;  the  sun  in  a  cres- 
cent :  facing  the  god  a  perst)nage  with  arms  crossed,  followed  by  the  goddess  .\a  in 
a  long  fringed  robe  and  with  both  hands  lifted.     There  are  three  lines  of  inscrip- 


762  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

tion.  Well  cut  with  the  point,  but  corrodeil,  and  two  ileep  holes  anil  one  shallow 
one  have  been  bnreil  in  the  face,  and  two  in  the  npjier  end.  Said  to  have  been 
obtained  from  Jezireh.     Circ.  1000  B.  c. 

F.  Gutta-]terchii  Lnpn-snton  of  No.  HIS. 

1414.  Broivn  Slate — Babylonian  Cylinder.  Length,  0.029  m.;  diameter,  0.0145  m. 

A  god  witli  haiul  drawn  liack,  tlie  other  across  his  breast,  in  a  short  robe;  a 
crescent  over  a  monkey  (?) ;  a  worshipper  with  one  hand  lifted  ;  an  nncertain  object 
over  a  tnrtle  (?),  which  is  over  a  fish  ;  two  lines  <jf  inscription.  Wrought  with  the 
point;  badly  worn.     Kronght  from  Constaiilinnplc.     Circ.  lUOO  B.  c. 

G.  Gulta-perclia  Iinjin'x.iioii  of  No.  L'flJf. 

CASE    YYYY. 

1415.  Strpeidinc — Babylonian  Cylinder.     Length,  (t. (125  m. ;  duimeter,  0.012  m. 

Seated  god,  lieardless,  in  a  low  ronnd  cap  and  a  long  robe.  Sun  in  the  cre.s- 
cent.  A  beardless  deity,  in  a  high  hat  and  a  llomiced  dress,  leads  by  tlie  hand  a 
beardless  worsliijjper,  bareheaded,  in  a  long  simple  robe,  with  one  hand  raised  in 
adoration.  There  are  two  lines  of  suspicions  inscription.  Fairly  wrought  with 
the  point,  and  in  fair  condition.  Brought  from  Constantinople.  Circ.  1000  to 
1500  B.  c. 

A.  Gutta-percha  Liipre.-^-non  of  No.  IJ^LJ. 

1416.  Black  Basalt  (.^) — Cylinder,  of  unkiiDwn  (irigiii.    Length,  0.068  ni. ;  diam- 

eter, 0.019  111. 

Seven  quadrupeds  impossible  to  identify;  several  other  aninuds ;  deep  holes 
with  rays;  a  group  of  nine  dots.  Very  rudely  wrought  with  the  wheel,  and  in 
good  preservation.    Reported  to  have  been  brought  from  Baghdad.    Age  uncertain. 

B.  Gidta-j)crcha  Lnpres.sion  of  No.  H16. 

1417.  Dark  Oivj.r — Persian  Cylinder.     Length,  0.02:1  m. ;  diameter,  0.0115  m. 

Hero,  with  crenellated  crown  and  Persian  trouser-like  robe,  lifts  a  lion  by  the 
hind  leg,  and  in  the  other  hand  holds  a  dagger;  crescent ;  vacant  space.  Wrought 
with  the  point  and  wheel,  and  in  excellent  preservation.  Obtained  in  Constanti- 
nople.    Circ.  300  to  .500  B.  c. 

C.  Gutta-j)ercha  Impre.f.non  of  No.  IJill. 

1418.  Cut  from   the   Core   or  Heli.r  of  a   Conch-shell — Babylonian    Cylinder. 

Length,  0.029  ni. ;  diameter,  0.015  in. 

Two  lions,  whose  bodies  cross  each  other,  attack  two  ibexes ;  a  crescent ;  a  rod 
with  a  rhombic  top;  a  crab  (?).  Rudely  wrought  with  point  and  wheel,  and  in 
good  condition.     From  Mosul.     Circ.  1500  B.  c. 

D.  Gutta-percha,  Lnpression  of  No.  IJ^IS. 

1419.  Reddish  Serpeidiue — Either   Assyrian   or   Hittite   Cylinder.      Length, 

0.024  111. ;  diameter  0.011  m. 

On  a  chair  a  seated  deity  in  a  square  cap,  with  one  hand  lifted,  before  a  table 
with  a  crab  (?)  on  it ;  on  the  other  side  of  the  table  a  priest  with  one  hand  lifted ; 


ASSYRIAX  AXD   BABYLONIAN  CYLINDERS.  70;J 

several  wedges.     Ratlier  rudely  cut  with  the  i-ioint,  and  in  fair  preservation.    From 
Mosul.     Circ.  500  to  700  b.  v. 

E.  Gutta-percha  Impression  of  No.  IJ^IQ. 

1420.  Made  from  the    Core  or  Heliv  of  a  C>iiifh-ylir/l — Babylonian  Cylinder. 
Length,  0.0325  m. ;  diameter,  0.019  in. 

A  seateil  god  in  a  round  cap,  in  a  long  llounced  robe,  holding  a  vase;  a  bare- 
headed attendant  leads  in  a  figure  by  the  hand.  The  latter  has  a  fringed  robe,  and 
both  have  their  hair  in  a  knot  behind.  Two  other  standing  figures  face  the  other 
way.  Fairly  wrought  with  the  point,  but  badly  corroded.  From  Baghdad.  Circ. 
1500  B.  c. 

F.  Gutta-percha  Iiiipresslon  of  No.  lJt20. 


In  the  month  of  June,  1888,  I  was  again  at  the  .seances  of  1" Acad- 
emic des  Inscriptions  de  I'lnstitut  de  France  at  Paris,  and  there  met 
IMonsieur  J.  Menant,  merabre  de  I'lnstitut.  He  expressed  a  desire 
to  see  the  prints  from  impressions  of  the  foregoing  cylinders,  and  on 
calling  on  nie  took  them  with  him  to  his  home  in  Rouen  ;  three  days 
later  I  received  from  him  the  fac.iimilr  on  p.  437  and  the  following 
notes  on  the  aforesaid  cylinders,  which  I  have  here  translated  : 

Plate  27 : 
402.   VijUiidcr,  Chaldean — Consecration  of  a  Sacrifice.     See  Catalogue  metho- 
dique  et  raisonne  de   la  Collection  de  Clereq,  Antiquith  a.m/rieniies 
cyliitdres  orieiitaia;  etc.,  Plate  XXI.  Xo.  203.       Also  see  Menant's 
Glyptique  orientule,  jiart  1,  page  150. 

493.  Cylinder,  Chaldean — Religious  Ceremony.     Compare  one  of  the  person- 

ages, which  resembles  a  skeleton,  witli  Piute  XXIII.  No.  239,  of  the 
catalogue  of  the  Collection  de  Clerc(j. 

494.  Cylindir,  Chddean — Very  much  of  the  same  character  as  No.  492. 

495.  Subject  unknown. 
Plate  28: 

49(i.  Cylinder.  Chaldean — Presentation  of  a  Candidate  for  Initiation  to  a 
Divinity.  See  CataloLiiu'  de  Clereq,  Plate  IX.  Xo.  84,  and  Menant's 
Glyptique  orientale,  part  1,  page  213. 

497.  Cylinder,  Hittite — Of  the  highest  interest.    See  Menant's  Glyptique  orien- 

tale, part  2,  page  118. 

498.  Cylinder,   Chaldean — "  Cylinder  of  Nu-nia-beni,  son  of  Urnaniis,  servant 

of  Uginapini."     See  Menant's   Gly/itique  orientale,  part  1,  page  150. 
Also  Catalogue  de  Clereq,  Plate  XX. 

499.  Cylinder,  Hittite — See  Catalogue  de  Clereq,  Plate  IV.  No.  98. 


7fi4  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

Plate  29: 
irieO.   Cijllnder,  Assyrian— ^e  Catalogue  tie  Clerpq,  Plate  XXXII.  Xo.  351. 

1367.  Cylinder,  ChaMean—"  "  "  "  XV. 

1368.  Cyllnde);  Chakhan—"  "  "  "  XX. 

1369.  Cylinder,  Chaldean— "  "  "  "  XXI.  Xo.  202. 

1370.  Cylinder,  Chaldean—"  "  "  "  XVII. 

Plate  30: 

1371.  Cylinder,  Chaldean— See  Cataloque  rle  Clercq,  Plate  XVII.  Xo.  2-37. 

1372.  Cyliadrr,  Chaldean—  "  "  "  "      XVII. 

1373.  Cylinder.  ( 'A'/A/r-///— Resembles  Xo.  492. 

1374.  Ci/liiider,  CV/'f/r/'-'n;— Remarkable  on  account  of  tlio  presence  of  a  nude 

Deess.     See  MeiiantV   Ghjptique  orientalr,  part  1,  jiaj^e  174,  and  Cat- 
alojiue  de  CIitci,  Plate  XXIII.  Xo.  221,  etc. 
137").    Cylinder,  Chaldean— Xt-ry  remarkable,  a:'  it  represents  a  scene  not  yet 
interpreted. 

Plate  31 : 

1376.  Cylinder,  Chaldean— A  Combat  of  Gisdubar  and  Kea-bani  with  a  Lion. 

Very  beautiful,  old.     .See  ^lenant's  Clyptiijue  orimtidr.  part  2,  paije 
84  ef  seq. 

1377.  Ci/linder,  Assyrian — See  Catalogue  de  Clerci],  Plate  XXX.  Xo.  323. 

1378.  Cyliiuh,:  Hiltife. 

1379.  Ci/lindir.  Chalihan — See  ^tenant's  GlypHque  nrientale.  jiart  1,  page  84. 

Pl.vfe  32: 

1400.  Ci/liiider,  Chaldean — Very  interesting  on  account  of  the  double  ceremony. 

See  Catalogue  de  C'lereq,  Plates  XX.  and  XXII.  Xo.  211. 

1401.  Cylinder,  Assyrian — Subject  unknown. 

1402.  Cylinder,  As.'^yrian. 

1403.  Cylinder,  Claddean—See  Xo.  1369. 

Plate  33 : 

1404.  Cylinder.  Hitiite. 

140-J.   Ci/liniler,  Hittite — -Very  interesting,  on  account  <if  tbe  re-union  of  two 

different  types. 
1406.   Cylinder,  Assyrian — See  Catalogue  de  Clercq,  I'latr  I.  Xo.  3. 
14tl7.    Cylimler,  Assyrian —  "  "  "  '"   II.  Xo.  16. 


SASSAXIAX,   PEBSIAN,  AND    ASSYRIAN   SEALS.         765 

Pi.ATi:  :54: 
I4II.S.   <'i//iii(ln\  AMi/ridii — See  Catalogue  de  C'lercii,  Plate  I.  No.  4. 
140!:).    <'i/il,i<ln;  A.'<s!/r!,i,i—  "  "  "  "     XXIX.  No.  304. 

1410.  Ci/Zlndn;  Cl„(l,l,„n—-'  "  "  "     XX. 

1411.  Cylinder,  Ai<.-iiji-i(iii — Very  curious.    See  Cataloirue  de  ('leieq,  Plate  XXX. 

No.  317. 

Plate  3-5 : 

1412.  C(iliii(lrr.  ('lia/(lni)i — Of  the  highest  interest  on  aeeount  of  the  inseri])- 

tion.     See  Catalogue  de  Clerccj,  Plate  X.     For  e.xplauatioii  of  the 
scene,  see  tenant's  G/iipliijiif  oi-'ieiitnle,  part  1,  page  \'1\). 

1413.  Ci//iiHlii\  ('liiililniii — Al.<()  interesting.     See  the  same  reference. 

1414.  l'i/!iii<lir.  Cliiifdciiii — See  Catalogue  de  Clercq,  Plate  XX. 
HI.").    Ci//lN<l<r,  ('//<(/</'-,/,— See  No.  1412. 

HK;.    Ci//iii(ln\  Hiitilr. 

1417.  Ci/lliidcr,  I'lr^iini — See  ]\renaiit"s  (l/i/jitiipir  orieiiUdf,  part  2,  page  155  ef 

seq.,  and  Catalogue  de  Clercq,  Plate  XXIV.  No.  3S2. 

Plate  36: 

1418.  UiikiwH'ii. 

1419.  t'li/iiidir.  C/ia/deiin — See  Menant's  Ghqitiipw  oriiiiiuli  .Vay\-  1,  page  50. 

142(1.    L'ljlinder,    i'luddrun — Very    curious.      See    Catalogue    de    Clercf|,   Plate 
"  XVI.  No.  129. 


SASSANIAN,   PERSIAN,   AND    ASSYRIAN  SEALS. 

CASE    ZZZZ. 

1421.  Oriental  Af/atr — A  Sassanian  Seal,  with  iiisiription  in  Pehlevi. 

A.  Guiiti-jierchti  Iiiijiri^.-iion  of  No.  14-^1. 

1422.  Hemfdite — A  Sassanian  Seal,  with  inscription. 

B.  GKtt(i-j>ercIi(i  Jinj/ri ssiim  af  No.  lJfi,2. 

1423.  Sard — Persian  Seal,  a  lion,  with  inscription. 

C.  Gidta-j)erch(i  linpreitsion  of  No.  IJ-fJ-J. 

1424.  Chalcedony — A  Persian  Seal,  a  bull  encircled   by  an  emblem  of  Eter- 

nity. 

D.  Gntta-perclia  Litprefi^ion  of  No.  IJf^i- 


766  SOMMERVILLE   COLLECTION. 

1425.  Maculated  Sardonyx— A.  Persian  Seal,  a  winged  horse  witli  worn  Pelikvi 

inscription. 

E.  Gutiu-perfha  Iinjiresxion  of  Xo.  IJfio. 

1426.  Sard — Sassanian  Seal,  a  chimera,  a  bird  witii  liunmu  head  and  face. 

F.  Chxtta-perclia  Impression  of  No.  1426. 

1427.  Chalcedomj — An  Assyrian  Seal.     Incognito. 

G.  Gidta-percha  Impression  of  No.  14^7. 

1428.  Chalcedony- Ony. I- — -A  Persian  Seal,  rude  head. 
H.  Gutta-j)erclia  Impression  of  No.  lJf2S. 


ABRAXAS. 

CASE    AAAAA. 

]My  mention  in  the  Prefoce  of  Dr.  Isaac  H.  Hall's  valuable  aid 
refers  to  his  explanation  of  these  Abraxas  inscriptions. 

1429.  Chakedonij— Cameo  Ring.     A  Gnostic  adaptation  of  Amen-Ra's  Pri- 

apean  characteristic  to  Jupiter  Serapis. 

The  letters  seem  to  form  one  of  those  Gnostic-trinity  inscriptions  wliere  ZEVX 
(Jupiterl  is  one  person,  a'AHI  (Hades  or  Plntoi  another,  and  HAlOi  iHeliosi  tlie 
third.  The  inscription  seems  to  be  "To  thee,  Father  Zeus,  Earth,  and  Hades." 
They  are  tlnis  addressed  as  tlie  Gnostic  Trinity. 

1430.  Pale  .Son?— Intaglio. 

Purely  (inostic,  containing  mystic  characters  nnintelligible,  and  ivhich  were 
prob.ibly  not  understood  by  tlie  owner  of  the  talisman. 

A.  Gutta-perchii  Imj/r'ssio/i  of  Obver.^e  of  No.  14-iO. 

B.  Gidta-percha  Impression  of  Rever.'te  of  No.  H30. 
1 4:51 .   Chalcedony-  Onyx — Cameo. 

The  head   is  Serapis  ;  the  inscription  appears  to  lie  (Jreek,  commencing  at  the 

intaglio  symbol  of  e-t— ,  which  is  apparently  the  anchor  cross.     Beginning  at  the 

right  of  this,  we  liave    mOJC   MOVXIPEMNHMONEVEYKMVAI,  wliich  must  be  n05 

MOY       XlAJlPE      MNHMONEVE       VKMYAI  (01  for    OE02.  and  the  I  fur  Al  in  XAIPE) 

,,.,,„  ,         '  Hvkmvli  1   ,,, 

—    O  mv  God,  hail:     Kememoer    ,  ..,'        :.      ,-  ! 

I  1 kmyh     ' 

1432.  Sardony.r — Talisman,  set  with  turquoises  anil  carncliaii.  witli  inscription 
on  both  sides. 

Procured  through  an  .Vrab  from  Abyssinia.  On  the  obvei'se  is  an  ibis  stand- 
ing on  a  globe;  its  head  is  surrounded  liy  a  rude  representation  of  the  rays  of  the 
sun,  either  emanating  from  the  sacred  bird  or  enveloping  it  in  a  halo  of  religious 
light.     Surrounded  by  an  inscription. 


ABRAXAS.  767 

The  (iliverse  reading  (reversed,  and  beginning  at  top,  left,  after  tlie  two  dots  [;] ), 

A  ANAGANABANAAKA  ;   AAKAANAK; 
is  really   A  ANA.GANA,  eANAAK  A  .   A'AKAANAK 

where  at  the  first  two  places  in  which  A  is  snpplied,  at  *,  consider  tlie  letter 
rejieated,  or  rather  to  be  transferred  to  the  place  of  the  last ;  also  supply  A  at  the 
end.    The  reading  is  then:  "Mine  fart)  thou,  I  (am)  thine;  thine  (ami  I,  thine." 
Tiie  reverse  reading  (reversed)  : 

AKAANAG I AGANAAKA, 
is  really   AKAANAG  |  AGANAAKA^ 
and  in  the  first  line  we  need  to  amend  the  last  two  letters  by  doubling  tlie  A.     We 
then  have,  "Thine  (am)  I;  (())  thou,  |   thou,  I  (am)  thine;"  all  which,  emenda- 
tions and  rendering,  are  excellent  Gnostic. 

C.  Gutta-percha  Impression  of  Obverse  of  No.  1432. 

D.  Gutta-percha  Impression  of  Reverse  of  Xo.  14-32. 

1433.  Pale  5arc?— Intaglio. 

On  the  obverse,  tlie  side  with  a  serpent  whose  tail  is  in  his  mouth, 

MAXE  lOVCABA 
nGBHABAACOY 
MHOOPQMA 
ZHAIA0Y 

Then  read  i marking  the  division  of  words  by  perpendicular  marks), 

maxe|ioy|caba 

ne|BHA]BAA|COY| 
MH|0|0POMA 

zhIaiaoy 

"May  Jehovah  Sabaoth  Bel  thy  Baal  fight,  lest  Orobazes  escape."  The  whole 
gem  would  be  a  mi.xed-up  luve-charm.  The  encircling  ser|)ent  and  the  other  sym- 
bols are  those  of  Anubis  or  Chnubis,  but  with  other  marks,  "^  ZZ  Z.  These  fig- 
ures are  a  star,  whose  symbolic  use  varies;  ;he  next  is  an  infrequent  symbol  of 
Chnubis;  and  the  three  ?^?-  are  the  well-known  syndjol  of  Chnubis. 
On  the  reverse  the  reading  is: 

aazom|icaa 

AinOAIN|HN| 

eteken|ka 

AAinOAlC 

[The  lines  of  the  gem  are  here  kept;  the  perpendicular  marks  denote  the  divis- 
ions of  the  words.]  It  is  good  Greek,  except  lh:il  the  first  word  is  either  barbarous 
or  an  unused  form. 

I  take  it  to  be  from  Aoigku,  and  render  it,  "King  out  (the  name  of)  Kallipolis 
whom  Kallipolis  bore  or  brought  forth." 

E.  ct  F.    Gutta-percha  Impression-f  of  Obverse  and  Reverse  of  Xo.  1433. 

1434.  Black  Basalt  (f) — Abraxas  Amulet,  iiiscriijtion  on  both  sides. 

On  tlie  obverse  is  an  ibis  with  an  altar  and  altai-sacrilicial  implements. 


768  SOMMEBVILLE    COLLECTION. 

3T1Y0 
On  the  reverse  is  lor  EYniflTE  I,  "Cluuiliis  is  l,or  lias  been 

favorable."     Tlie  symbol  below  is  that  ol'  Cliimbis. 

Li.&  II.  (iiittii-jjcrchii  Jiiijirrs.-<in)tf  of  Obcerse  and  Heverse  of  Ko.  14-->4- 


AZTEC    OR     MEXICAX. 

CASE    BBBBB. 

1435.  Aldhaster — A  Mexican  Idol. 

14o((.  Aldbasti'f — An  Aztec  Cylinder. 

14:!7.  Aldhasttr — A  Rude  Mask. 

14o8.  A/'ibasfer — A  Grotesque  Mask. 

1439.  A  Mexican  Idol,    (l-'rom  the  ^Mexican  CoUoe-tiun  of  C'uunt  de  Waldeck.) 

1440.  Alabaster — A  Grotesque  Mask. 


ASSYRIAX    SEALS. 

CASE    CCCCC. 

1441.  SmoL-i/  Chalcednnij — Assyrian  Seal.     A  female  figure  at  an  altar  in  adur- 

ation.     The  four-rayed  s^tar. 

A.  (hdta-perch(t  Jin/irrs.iidii  of  Xo.  l-^Jfl. 

1442.  Chalcedony — Assyrian  Seal.    A  priest  bear! ng  a  tlainbeati  before  an  altar. 

Probably  one  of  the  ordinary  JMagi's  seaL<,  whieh  generally  repre.sent 
a  lire-altar. 

B.  Giittd-percha  Lnpre.yxion  of  Xo.  14-'/^. 

1443.  Sajijjhirinc — Assyrian  Seal.     ]!ear<liil  li-nre  uf  a  man  with  uplifted  hand 

in  adoration.     The  iiead  and  faee  are  of  line  exeetition. 

C.  (intto-perehd  Impreisaion  of  Xo.  L'f-'f!. 

1444.  I'lile-brounilxh  Chnlccdoiuj — Assyrian  Seal.     A  jiriest  bi'I'ore  an  altar  on 

which   burns  a   lamp;  also  the  erescent  or  new  moon. 

D.  (iiitt(i-j)i  ri-lui  Iinjire-ssiun  of  Xo.  1444- 

144o.  J'k/i'   Stipphiriiir — Assyrian   Seal.      Two   standing   worshi]iping   figures 
faeing  a  I'andelaiira  ;  the  eresecnt   above. 

E.  (lidta-pcrrliit  liiijx-rsxion  of  Xo.  1445- 


EGYPTIAX   SCAB  ABEL  TfW 

1446.  Bmcnifh  Clui/cctloiii/ — Assyrian  Seal.     Piii'st  in  adoiatioii,  both  liaiRl< 

raised  before  an  altar:  the  crestriit. 

This,  like  the  most  of  this  series,  is  a  seal  of  the  common  people. 

F.  Gutta-percha  Iinpressioft  of  .,Yo.  IJ/JfO. 

1447.  YdlowUh  Clia/cf'donrj  (injured  by  fire') — Assyrian  Seal.     Priest   liefore  a 

temple;  an  altar-piece  of  decoratiou,  a  series  of  balls,  one  resting  on 
the  other. 

See  one  somewhat  similar  on  the  lower  stone  on  full  page  illustration  of  Plice- 
nic'ian,  page  54. 

G.  Gutta-percha  Tmjtressioii  of  Ku.  14-t~- 

1448.  Chalcedony  hi  Two  Colore — Assyrian  Seal.    A  priest  before  a  candelabra 

surmounted  by  a  seven-pointed  sttir ;  also  a  reiiresentation  of  a  chair 
of  state. 
H.    Gutta-percha  Iinpresxiori  of  Xo.  144S', 

1449.  Quartz  Pebble — Assyrian  Seal.     A  seated  ligure  holding  a  disk  in  the 

liands ;  crescent  above. 
I.   Gutta-percha  Lupremon  of  No.  mO. 


EGYPTIAN    SCARABEI. 

CASE    DDDDD. 

All  the  following  searabei  have  been  carefully  examined  bv  "M. 
Paul  Pierret,  conservateur  of  the  Egyptian  jMuseuni  of  the  Louvre, 
Paris.  To  him  I  have,  for  years,  been  indebted  tiir  niiich  valualile 
instruction.     (See  his  letter,  jiage  4oit.) 

14.")0.  -S'/paZ/Vp— Egyptian  Scarabeus.  TAI  or  TAIA,  wife  of  AMENOPHIS 
III.,  eighteenth  dynasty. 

14.')1.  .S7c',^7e— Egyptian  Scarabeus.  TH0TH:MES  III.,  of  the  eighteenth 
dynasty. 

145l!.  Baked  Earth,  enamelled — Egyptian  Scarabeus.  The  god  BES,  said  to 
have  been  introduced  into  Egypt  from  Arabia;  he  is  thought  to 
resemble  the  Hindoo  god  Siva,  and  is  given  the  character  of  a  war- 
rior god. 

1453.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.  The  inscription  is  finely  executed  :  "  Or 
Pt.\h  Xefer." 

14.54.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     PEPI  I.,  of  the  sixth  dynasty. 

1455.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.  The  goose  indicates  the  royal  .son  ;  the 
name  is  not  legible,  but  is  that  of  a  prince. 


770  SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 

1456.  Baked  Earth — Egyptian  Scarabeoid.     The  in.~ciijition  is  a  vow  or  wisli, 

and  interesting:  "  M.v  Khet  Ni:b,"  wliiili,  liberally  construed,  means, 
"  May  all  things  he  right  (or  true)." 

1457.  Compact  Slate — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     A  funereal  scarabeus,  on  which 

the  deceased,  speaking,  expresses  hopes,  continually  repeated,  that  his 
soul  may  have  a  happy  voyage,  happy  relief,  and  transport  fnjm  the 
inevitable  transitory  domain  to  which  all  are  consigned. 

1458.  -Sfe(//^'— Egyptian  Scarabeoid.     RA]\IESES  II.,  of  the  nineteenth  dy- 

nasty. On  the  reverse  is  inscribed,  "The  god  Annnon  has  watchful- 
ness over  all  thy  acts." 

1459.  ,S/e«/(7f— Egyptian  Scarabeus.      TH0THME8   III.,  of  the  eighteenth 

dynasty:  "  K.\  ^Ien  K.iPER." 

1460.  ,««(<(7e— Egyptian  Scarabeus.     The   legend  is  of  THOTHME:^   III.: 

"  Ra  Men  K.irEi:."  The  perpendicular  incision,  resembling  a  col- 
umn surmounted  by  a  lotus-flower,  signifies  prosperity.    (See  No.  1464.) 

1461.  Sleatile — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     The  inscription  e.xpresses  a  vow  or  wish  : 

"  NEi'Eit  KnET  Nki;  "— "  All  things  good  (for  thee) !"— a  New  Year's 
wish. 

1462.  .Sy«/;//f— Egyptian   Scarabeus.     Of   tine   execution,    whose    meaning   is 

hidden,  as  the  liands  of  the  little  men  are  not  jdincd  togcthei- :  when 
thus,  the  signification   is  twins. 

1463.  J(«Z«  (.i*)— Egyptian  Scarabeus.     Evidently  the  seal  of  a  jeweller.     We 

find  the  signs  or  hieroglyplis  for  "manufacturer,"  and  "cif  gold;" 
also,  »-  "in,"    and    0    "the  temple,"  Hat  Khu.       tOl  signifies 

the  horizon,  ilountains  and  the  rising  sun  are  represented  by  this 
last   liieriigly|ih. 

1464.  Antique  Paste,  with  iriilencence — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     Worn  with  time, 

yet  in  the  centre  the  winged  <li.-k,  the  sun  pur.suing  its  course,  is 
clearly  discerned;  also  the  coloiinette.  a  talismanic  hieroglyph  in  the 
form  of  a  colunm  crowned  with  the  lotus-fiower.  It  is  often  found  on 
the  necks  of  nuinimies,  and  signifies  that  which  prospers  and  fionrishes 
— the  symbol  of  prosperity.  It  is  pmbably  a  seal  of  one  of  the  later 
Pharaohs. 

1465.  Ef/i/ptian  Money,  G'Aw.s— Obverse,  Isis  ;  reverse,  Serapis. 

1466.  Ec/ijptian  Money,  Glasx^Ohverse,  Serapis;  reverse,  Isis. 
1407.   E'/'iptian  Money,  Gla-tif — A  curious  winged  Bust. 

1468.  Eejyjitiitn  Money,  Oliiss — A  Bust  of  Isis. 


EGYPTIAN  SCAR  ABEL  771 

CASE    EEEEE. 

1469.  Steatite— 'Egyptian  Scarabeus.     Rare  and  interesting.     This  inscription 

is  mytliologieal.  Above  is  tlie  banjue  of  the  Sun,  Ra  Signor  of  Heli- 
opolis,  represented  by  the  hieroglypli  of  the  city  of  Heliopolis.  The 
obelisk  below,  with  the  god  Ra  and  the  dee.'w  Ma — together,  RAJIEN- 
MA — perhaps  represents  the  prenuiiien  of  King  SET  I.,  second  kins 
of  the  nineteenth  dynasty. 

1470.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     A  man  in  adoration  before  Osiris,  who 

is  seated. 

1471.  6'fe«<(Ve— Egyptian  Scarabeus.     PEPI  I.,  of  the  sixth  dynasty. 

1472.  Steatite— "Egyptian   Scarabeus.     THOTILMES   III.,   of  the   eighteenth 

dynasty.  "  Ra  Men  K.\per."  The  sphinx  represents  the  person 
of  the  king.     Below  is  the  figure  of  a  fallen  conipiered  enemy. 

1473.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     The  god  Bes  adored  by  two  monkeys. 

1474.  Canieliaii — Egyptian  Scarabeus.  with  original  ancient  silver  mounting. 

This  scaraixus  was  iirobalily  engraved  by  a  Greek  dtiring  the  reign 
of  the  later  Ptolemies,  at  an  epoch  when  they  employed  foreign 
artists.  It  represents  Isis  seated,  with  the  infiint  Horus  on  her  knees, 
and  before  an  altar.  The  crescent  also  indicates  the  epoch,  probaI)ly 
that  of  Cleopatra. 

1475.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.    Rare  and  interesting — Amnion  in  Thebes. 

The  obelisk  represents  Amnion's  name;  the  bird,  an  owl,  here  repre- 
sents the  preposition  "  in  ;"  and  Thebes  is  signified  by  the  three  figures 
below.  Api,  the  sign  for  P,  is  not  distinct,  but  the  word  is  surely  as 
above.     We  take  this  as  an  abbreviation. 

1476.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus,  termeil  "funereal."     This  is  one  of  those 

scarabei  which  were  buried  with  the  dead,  sometimes  on  the  breast 
underneath  the  wrappings,  and  sometimes  within  the  body  of  the 
mummy  in  the  place  of  the  heart.  The  heart  was  embalmed  sep- 
aratelv  in  a  vase,  and  placed  under  the  protection  of  the  genius  Dua- 
oumautew.  This  doubtlessly  was  done  because  the  heart  was  consid- 
ered indispensable  for  the  resurrection,  yet  it  could  not  be  placed  in 
the  bodv  until  it  had  been  upon  the  scales  and  had  passed  the  judg- 
ment of  Osiris.  "When  the  sentence  was  favorable  it  was  promised 
that  "  his  heart  shall  be  returned  to  its  original  cavity."  The  heart, 
the  principle  of  exi.<tence  and  regeneration,  was  .symbolized  bv  the 
scarabeus.  This  is  why  texts  relative  to  the  heart  were  inscribed  on 
funereal  scarabei.  On  this  scarabeus  the  deceased  speaks,  saying,  "  I 
hope  that  my  soul  shall  speedily  quit  or  rise  from  the  regions  infernal, 
and,  reapi)earing  on  earth,  may  do  all  that  pleases  it." 


772  SOMMERYILLE   COLLECTION. 

1477.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     The  god  Bes.     (.See  No.  1452.) 

1478.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     This  .<c;irahuus  !.•<  mythological.     At  the 

left  is  the  dee.ss  Thoueris,  in  her  left  haiiil  a  ij/aive  (a  sword),  a  cut- 
ting arm  of  defence.  The  hieroglyi)h  on  the  right  seems  to  indicate 
Heliojiolis,  though  the  figure  on  the  summit  of  the  shaft  is  not 
exactly  as  usually  given ;  below  is  the  sign  of  Protection ;  above  is 
the  barque  of  the  Sun. 

1479.  Dlalage — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     A  funereal  scarabeus,  interesting  from 

the  fact  tiiat  the  inscriptiou  contains  j)art  of  the  thirtieth  chapter  of 
the  Book  of  the  Dead  ;  that  is,  the  chapter  concerning  the  heart. 
That  nothing  may  be  lost,  I  will  tir.st  render  it  in  French,  just  as  M. 
Pierret  read  it  to  me  from  the  scarab,  and  tiien  in  other  words  for 
those  who  prefer  English :  "  Mon  camr  (jui  me  vient  de  nia  mere,  nion 
cojur  necessaire  a  mon  existance  sur  terre  ;  ne  te  dresse  pas  contre  moi 
parmi  le.s  divins  chefs." — "  My  heart,  which  comes  to  me  from  my 
mother — my  heart,  necessary  to  my  existence  on  earth,  do  not  raise 
thy.self  against  me  among  or  before  the  chief  divinities."  These 
were  the  superior  gods,  whom  the  Egyptians  supposed  to  be  in  the 
immediate  surrounding  or  presence  of  Isis. 

The  remainder  of  the  inscription  is  less  legilile.  On  the  first  line 
is  the  name  of  Osiris  Jam  (all  tiie  dead  had  Osiris  prefixed  to  their 
names)  ;  on  the  last  line  is  the  name  of  his  father,  which  is  indistinct: 
it  was  evidently  the  same  as  the  name  of  a  plant,  and  ending  with  ]\I, 

but  cannot  he  defined  ;  that  is,  it  is  inscribed,  "  .son  of ," 

and  then  tlie  unintelligible  name  alluded  to. 

1480.  Dia/<if/e — Egyptian  Scarabeus,  containing  a  vow  or  wish,  a  vase  repre- 

senting a  libation.  The  sum  of  the  rendering  of  the  inscription  is, 
"  I  dedicate  my  life  to  truth,  and  hope  for  cooling  breezes  and  liba- 
tions." 

1481.  Steatite — Egyptian  Scarabeus.     A'ery  interesting.     The  seal  of  a  royal 

scrilte,  a  general  and  chief  of  infantry,  who.se  name  was  8eti. 

1482.  Lead — Egyptian  Coin  of  the  century  b.  c.  and  first  century  A.  d.     Ob- 

verse, a  standing  figure  of  Isis,  with  the  cruche  in  one  hand  and  the 
sistre  in  the  other ;  reverse,  Serapis. 

1483.  Lead — Egyptian  Coin,  b.  c.    Obvense,  Cynoccphalus,  the  symbolic  genius 

of  the  god  That;  on  his  head  is  the  disk  of  the  Sun,  and  before  him 
an  altar ;  reverse,  bust  of  Serapis. 

1484.  Lead — Egyptian  Coin,  a.  d.     Obverse,  two  sphinxes;  reverse,  the  bust 

of  Plijipocrates  resting  on  a  human  foot. 

1485.  Lead — Egyptian  Coin.     Obverse,  Hippocrates  on  the  ram  ;  reverse,  Isis. 


IXDfAX  AXD   PERSIAX.  773 

HINDU    DEITIES. 

A  series  of  eugraved  and  carved  stoues,  from  Jeypore,  India. 

CASE   FFFFF. 
1486.  Alabaster — Tliu  Hindu  deity  Lakshmana. 

CASE   GGGGG. 
14S7.  Alabaster — The  Hiudu  goddess  Parvati. 

CASE   HHHHH. 

1488.  Alabaster — Hindu  Deity,  three  figure.*,  incognito. 

1489.  Alabaster — The  Hindu  deity  Dataturee.  ur  the  three-headed  or  three- 

faced  Siva. 

1490.  Alabader — The  Hiudu  deity  Ganpati. 

CASE  mil. 

1491.  Alabaster — The  Hinchi  deity  Rama. 

1492.  Alabaster — Tlie  Hindu  deity  Matsya  Avatar,  \vith  fish's  tail. 

1493.  Alabaster — Hindu  Deity,  incognito. 

CASE   JJJJJ. 

1494.  Block  Alabaster — Tlie  Hindu  deity  Hanuman. 

1495.  Black  Alabaster— Hindu,  deity,  The  Holy  Cow. 

1496.  Black  Alabaster — The  Hiudu  deity  Ganpati. 


PERSIAX    TALISMANS. 

CASE   KKKKK. 

1497.  Turquoise — A  Talisman,  a  bird  with  Persian  inscription. 

1498.  Turquoise — A  Talisman,  richly  inscribed,  remarkable  in  size  and  beauty  : 

extreme  length,  x.H  centimetre.? ;  extreme  width,  -5.7  centimetres. 

1499.  Turquoise — A  Talisman,  with  peculiar  head-dress. 

1500.  Turquoise — A  Talisman,  a  sheep  with  good  gilded  Persian  inscription. 


774  SOMMERVILLE    COLLECTION. 

CASE    MARKED    ABYSSINIA. 

These  are  not  engraved  gems,  liut,  having  some  affinity  to  the  subject, 
they  are  shown  as  curiosities. 

The  silver  rings  were  given  to  my  wife  and  to  me  by  the  governor  of 
Xubia.     Tlie  talismans  from  Abyssinia  were  obtained  from  an  Aral). 

The  necklace  is  composed  of  ancient  pieces  of  Roman  enamel  and  colored 
glass. 

The  red  karats,  with  a  black  spot  in  a  delta  arrangement,  are  from  the 
kuara  tree,  and  liear  the  name  of  karats  because  they  are  so  uniform  in 
weight ;  they  were  long  used  for  weighing  precious  stones,  antl  are  said  to 
be  still  employed  for  that  purpose   in  Northern  Africa. 


#      •     • 


FULL-PAGE  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

Portrait  nf  the  Author Frontispiece. 

Portland  Vase      29 

Porthuul  Vase  (Keverse) 31 

Egyptian 40 

Babylonian   Cylinders,   The    Source    of 

History      47 

Persian  and  Sassanian  Seals 52 

Sassanian 56 

Etruscan 60 

Phcpnician        64 

Greek  and  Roman  Intaglio  Rings     ...  69 

Grjeco-Roman 74 

Roman 78 

Abraxas HI 

Byzantine 85 

Night  of  Art 91 

The  Renaissance 101 

The  Story -Teller 138 

Achmet  El  Zoria  Calling  to  Prayers  .  .  131 
Tobacco  Bazaar,  Tangier  ..."....  139 
Contentment — The  Merchant  of  Pista- 
chio-nuts, Tangier 142 

The  Tliree  Amphorge,  Tangier 145 

The    Antiquary — St.  Jeronimos,  Belem, 

Portugal 149 

Bartering  for  Gems  on  the  Ruad — The 

Old  Tower  of  Belem,  Portugal  .    .    .  151 

"Naples,  thou  art  a  great  Cameo"             .  1.56 

Sculpture  of  Abydus 166 

Buying  the  Nose-Ring 16rt 

The  Old  Potter  at  Keneh 171 

Our  Decorated  Nubian — Memnonium  .    .  175 

Esneh 178 

Moored  at  the  Island  of  Philae 183 

Haleel's  Coffee  Mill— Nile 186 

Ostrich-Feather  Dealers — Oasis  of   the 

Desert 193 

Camels  seen  on  the  Horizon  at  evening  .  200 

Aboo-Simbel 203 

The  Sacred  Bull  of  Abydus 206 

The  Valley  of  the  Tombs  of  the  Kings  .  209 

Girgeh 212 

"  Our  Daoud  " 218 

"Our  Daoud"   washing  his   kamees  in 

the  Nile 222 

House  of  the  Harem .    .  227 

Reception-Room      of     the      Patriarchal 

Sheikh,  Cairo 232 

Suez  Canal  iu  1869 240 

Entering  Joppa  by  the  Roadstead      .    .    -  243 

Mosque  of  Omar 247 

SOJIMERVILLE  COLLECTION,    Plates  1  to  103   . 

37 


Haleel  Cooking  at  Nabulus — His  Cylin- 
der Stove  

Nazareth  Girls  with  coins  and  gems  in 
their  Head-dresses 

Approaching  Mount  Hermon 

Bazaar,  Damascus 

Gate  of  the  Temple  of  the  Sun,  Baalbec 

The  Acropolis 

Bearers  of  Amphone 

Basso-rilicvos  from  the  Parthenon  273, 27' 

Monastery  Corridor,  Constantinople     .    . 

Shenishee,  the  Caravan  Follower  .        .    , 

Bazaar  and  Cafe,  Constantinople       ..    . 

Weighing  my  Greek  Shoes  at  the  Custom- 
House,  Bazias 

No  Duty  on  Engraved  Gems:  Custom- 
House  receipt  for  duties  on  Greek 
Siloes 

The  Antiquary,  in  a  city  by  the  Adriatic 
Sea  over  the  wings  of  a  Theatre    .    . 

The  Cure  of  Saint  Proculo . 

My  Tartarand  the  Fairat  Nijni-Novgorod 

Restaurant  at  Warschau 

The  Old  Lady  Antiquary  at  Roskilde  .    . 

Education  of  Bacchus 

The  Nile 

Eleven  Thousand  Virgins    ,  .        .    . 

Camp  of  the  Carlberg  Gypsies,  .Sweden    . 

Rathhaus,  Breslau 

He  was  Loved  by  his  King      

Vestal  Virgins,  Ajax,  .\chiHes,  and  Ulys- 

The  Fall  of  Phaethon 

The  Game  of  Astragalus— The  Portico  of 

Octavia  and  the  Pescaria 

j  A  Favorite  Haunt,  Paris,  Rue  de  Seine  . 

Priest  Showing  the  Power  of  the  Deess 
Cauobus     

The  Bric-a-brac  .Shop  near  Hilda's  Tower 

Peasantry  on  Sunday — Temple  of  Vesta, 
and  St.  Maria  in  Cosmedin 

Peasantry  at  the  Roman  Forum  on  Sun- 
day       

Drawing  out  the  ancient  Olive  Tree  near 
Rome 

Diana  Dictynna  .    .  ...        .... 

The  Agate  tif  Tiberius;  also  known  as 
the  Apotheosis  of  Augustus  .    .    .    . 

The  Coronation  of  Augustus 

:  Front  View  of  Tazza  Farnese 

I  Back  View  of  Tazza  Farnese,  Medusa 


254 


260 
265 
269 
271 
7,279 
286 
289 
293 

298 


301 


304 
307 
313 
320 
324 
333 
3.37 
341 
345 
.350 
354 


357 
361 


3(;(i 
370 


374 

378 


383 

386 


389 
413 

420 
424 
427 
429 
457 


ILLUSTRATIONS  IN  THE  TEXT. 


PAGE 

Jupiter  Sciapis 9 

Ornamental  Head-piece 13 

Tlie  Potter's  Wliecl 38 

Egyjitian  Scaralieus 45 

Babylunian    Cylinder 50 

Sassanian  Seal — Pehlevi   Inscription   .    .  58 

Etruscan  Scaralieus 6*2 

Phienician  Searabeus 67 

Ptolemyeus  and  Arsinoc  (Greek  Intaglio)  72 

tireek  Cameo 76 

Eomau    Ring  (Cameo) 79 

Abraxas  Gem — (Amulet) 83 

Byzantine  Gem 87 

Aztec  or  Mexican — ^  size  f>f  tbe  original  .  89 

(irotesiiue  Heads  (Nigbf  of  Art)     ....  99 

Meleager  and  Atalanta  Dancing  (Cameo)  104 

(.'eres  (Intaglio  by  G.  Picklcr) 106 

Head-piece  to  Retrospective 107 

Odenatbus  and  Zenobia  (Cameo)   ....  109 

Prayer  ill  the  (Jarden  (Cameo  rin.g)  .    .    .  114 

Head-piece  to  .\nimals  and   Birds  .    .    .  ll."i 

Tail-piece  to  Animals  and  Birds  ....  117 

Death  of  Cleopatra — (Cameo,  Tunjuoise)  118 
Bacchus  and  Ariadne — (Cameo  reduced  in 

size)    .    .        122 

Head-piece  to  Reminiscences 125 

Arab  Merchant 126 

The  Amjdiora  Bearer  and  Camp  Follower  137 

Tobacco  Merchants,  Tangier 143 

The  Dreamer 147 

Islands  of  Lcriiis,  St.  .Marguerite,  and  St. 

Honorat 154 

Stromboli 157 

Avenue  of  Sphinxes — ^Iem[this 159 

Nile  Cataract  at  Assouan 181 

Nubian  Hovel 189 

Egyptian  Temples,  Phila; 213 

Bazaar,  Cairo 216 

Avenue  of  Palm  Trees,  "  Daoud  "'     .    .    .  225 

Harem  Lattice 230 

Patriarch's  Cactus  and  Lizards 234 

Whirling  Dervishes 241 

Scorpion 245 

Mount   Hermon 256 

Bazaar,  Damascus 263 

776 


PAGE 

Monolith— Baalbec 267 

Frieze — Parthenon,  Athens     .....  268 

Ruins  of  Doric  Temple 281 

Initiation  Grip,  Second  Position        ...  291 

Greek  Shoes 299 

Kreutzer  Pieces 300 

Grief  of  Achilles  at  the  Death  of  Patro- 

elus 326 

Pyrrhus  in  the  guise  of  Cupid  detaining 

j  Achilles      329 

I  jEseulapius  .    .  330 

i  Telesphorus,  tlie  God  of  Convalescence   .  331 

Triumph  of  Bacchus 335 

AUegin-y— Transported  Monuments  .    .    .  339 

Albreeht  Diirer's  Raphael— (Cameo  1     .    .  343 
Ring,  Etruscan— Obtained  from  a  Gypsv 

Girl !  352 

Cicnii — Astuzia   and    Ingenuita    (Cameo 

slightly  enlarged) 360 

Astragalizontcs 363 

Talismanic   King — Astragalus 368 

Jujiiter  Serajiis 379 

"The  iMorgiana  .Tar" 380 

Alnaxas  Gem,  an  .\mulet 381 

Peasantry  on  the  Campagna,  near  Rome  382 

G^dipus  and  the  Sphinx 392 

Jupiter,     Jnuo,     et     al.      (Mythological 

Cameo) '        ....  398 

Lucius— Intaglio,    Enlarged    from    the 

original  six  times      399 

Lucius — Intaglio,  Actual  Size 418 

Head  of  Christ  on  Emerald— (A  Myth)    .  432 

Aspasia  and  Pericles  (Cameo) 663 

The   Sacrifice    of    Isaac    by   Abraham — 

(Cameo) 664 

[  Athene  (Cameo,  Obverse  and  Reverse)  670 

Cybele  (Cameo,  Obverse) 676 

Cybele  (Cameo.  Reverse) 67 


Chinese  Taidet   (Obverse  and  Rever.se 

Kuara  Beans 774 

Pomona  Drojiping  Fruit 774 

Head-jiiece  to  List  of  Illustrations  .    .    , 
Hanii  Pinching  an  Ear — Don't  Forget  me 

Hiad-|iiece  to  Index      777 

Tail-piece  to  Index 783 


*  1.1 

776 


INDEX. 


[Gems  mentioned  iu  tlie  text  are  indicated  in  this  Index  by  ilalia.] 


Abd-el-Silimas,  195,  19",  233 

238. 
Salam-Feraga.  2S-I. 
Abolla  (CMStume).  71-1. 
Aboo-Simbel,  rock-teniole,  201 

202. 

Abra.xas,  SO,  114. 

amulet,  284. 

in  contrast  with  Christianitv 
381. 
Abydus.  169,  207. 
Acro|joli.--.  Athens,  268,281. 
.^milius  .Mamercinus,  668. 
Aliens  escaiiinii  frum  Troy,  393. 
.a;.scillai)iiis.  6BS. 

and  Telesphorus,  .S30.  336. 

Aijiile  „/  Tibcrina.  421. 
AJn.r.  Achillea,  and  Uiyfaet.  ?,h&. 
Alexander  the  Great,  19,  26. 
Amastini  (engraver).  6s. 
Am|ihorie.  the  Three.  144. 
Amulets,  26.  41.  57,  83.  114,  115. 
Animal  subjects.  678,  679. 
Animals  and  Birds,  115. 
Annona  (goddess),  752. 
Antinous,  735. 
-Antiquary  at  Belem,  148. 

at  Rome.  310. 

at  Riiskilde,  325. 
Ants,  legend  of  the,  164. 
Anubis  (deity),  34,  44,  20S. 
Ajiis    bulls,    tomb  inscriptions. 

162. 
Arch  of  Constantino,  118. 

of  Trajan,  118,  752. 
cameos  of,  751. 

of  Titus,  734. 
Astragalus,  363. 
Aur/iistm,  Apnlherma  of.  421. 

Coroniiti<nio/\i2b, 

portico  of,  275. 

BAALBEr,  Krixs  OF,  264. 
Bab-in-Xasr,  215. 


BaccJiiia  and  An'adiie,  376,  754. 

ediiratio)!  of,  332. 
Bannasac  (city),  95. 
Barberini  Vase,  28. 
Barlhelejny,  Anatole    de,  letter 

of,  441. 
Baths  of  Car.ncalla,  693. 

of  Diocletian.  36. 

of  Titus,  734. 
•'  Battle  of  Samareand,"  287. 
Bazaars  of  Cairo,  214. 

of  Constantinople,  295,  296. 

of  Damascus.  261,  262. 

of  Tangier,  138. 
Bazias,  299. 
Bibliotheque    Xationale,   I'aris. 

96,  108,1,  679. 
Blant,  Edmond  le.  IS,  064,  665. 
721. 

letters  of,  445.  066. 
"  Book  of  the  Dead."  42. 
Bottoni  (implement).  23. 
Breccia  (pebbles).  108,,. 
Bustuarius,  the,  686. 
Butterfly,  emblem  of,  748. 


Cabinet,     Imperial,     Vienna, 

coins  of.  16,  425. 
Caesarion,  717. 
Cafes,  Const.antinople,  295. 
Cairo,  214. 

Colandrelli  (engraver),  6S. 
Cameo,  detinedr  15. 

engravers.  15.  16,  20,  21,  105. 
Cameos,  collections,  European, 
16. 

Greek.   71. 

historic.  1 18,  120. 

materials  of.  16. 

of  European    museums,  cele- 
brated. 421. 

of  the  Incas,  89.  1 

paste,  antique,  27. 


Cameos,     religious,     Byzantine 

period,  1 3. 
Campagna    and    the  oil-dealer, 

382. 
Campo  de'  Fiori,  3S7. 
Canal,  Suez,  241. 
CmiobitB,  375,  679. 
Capital,  Corinthian,  inventor  of, 

712. 
Capitoline  divinities.  674. 
Carlberg  Gypsies,  344. 
Carpet,  sacred,  2SS. 
Carriera,  Ros.alba,  315. 
Cartouches,  44. 
Cataract,  the.  180. 
Cathedral  of  Loretto,  684. 

of  Roskilde,  325. 
Cell  of  Pandrosus,  275. 
Ceremonies,   religious,   strange 

238. 
Ceremony  of  initiation,  Moor- 

ee.l,  291. 
Chabouillet,  A.,  letter  of,  447. 
Christ,  cameo  of,  431. 
CiHudim,  23„,  739. 

family,  names  of,  749. 
Cleopatra,  669.  6S0. 
Clercq.  .M.  de,  46. 
Coin,  silver  and  bronze,  Roman, 

37. 
Coins,  8th  to  11th  centuries,  U4, 

95. 
Colosseum,  the,  734. 
Colossus  of  Chares.  267. 
Coramodus,  36,  669. 
Conch,  engraving  on.  104. 
Constantine,  Emperor,  84,  690. 
Constantinople.  282. 
Coriolanus,  119,  684. 
Cornucopia,  origin  of.  673. 
Cuma?an  .*ibyl.  the,  309. 
Cylinder,   Indian,  South  Amer- 
ica, 33. 
Cylinders,  Assyrian,  46. 

777 


778 


IXDEX. 


Cylinders,    Babylonian,    14,  33, 
4fi.  49. 
Chaldean,  46. 

DAMAScrs,  261. 

Daoud,  our,  219. 

Days    of    the    week,  tradition, 

393,  722. 
Dealers,  gem,  Damascus,  262. 

general,  305-326. 
Deidameia,  675,  6S8. 
DeJtie?,  Assyrian,  33. 

Egyptian,  34,  375. 

Phoenician,  66. 
Demetrius  Soter  tind  Laodice,  19. 
Denderah,  41. 
Denicrs  (coins),  95. 
Deserted  halls,  100. 
Dingley,  Robert,  lOSji. 
Diogenes  Laertius,  57. 
Dioscorides  (engraver),  21,  22, 

OS,  72,  425.  725. 
Dogs  of  Constantinople,  2S2. 
"  Dome  of  the  Rock,'  287. 
Domitia,  incident  of,  734. 

ring  of,  732. 
Dresser,  Dr.  H.,  364,  397,  730, 

731. 
Drill,  use  of  the,  22,23. 
Duruy.  Victor,  394. 

Ictt'cr  uf.  449. 
Dlirer,  Albrecht,  716. 

E'Dayh,  41. 

Edfoo,  207. 

temples  of,  179. 
Effendi  Ambia,  palace  of,  262. 
Egypt,  15S. 
Egyptians,  the,  41. 
Elephantine  Island,  207. 
JSiidyniiou,  27. 
Engravers,  gem,  ancient,  20,21. 

cameo,  skill  of,  16,  21. 

and  intaglio,  avocation,  15. 

difficulties  of  delineation,  24, 
25. 

Greek,  6S. 

modern,  105. 

Roman.  20. 

of  Asia  Minor,  35. 

portraiture,  25,  26. 
Engraving,  gem,   ancient,    me- 
chanical   appliances,  22, 
23. 

Byzantine,  84. 

contrasted   with  coinage,   94, 
95. 

decline  of,  36,  37,  105. 

revival  of.  105. 

and  painting  compared,  23. 
Enigma,  an,  1S2. 
Esneh,  41. 

temple  at,  179. 
Etruscans,  22.  34,  61. 
E.xploration  Fund,  l!abyluni;in. 
50. 

Fair,  Nijni  Xovgorod,  311. 


"Fall  of  the  White  Bird,"    2S7. 
Farnese  family,  103. 
Faustina,  ring  of,  732. 
Fire,  sacred,  Parsee  tem])le,  113. 
FoUis  (coin),  95. 
Forum,  Roman,  3S7. 
France,  371. 

Funeral  cars,  Roman,  728. 
rites  for  the  souls,  686. 

Ganneau,  Clermont,    letter   of, 

443. 
Garden  of  Gethsemiine,  246. 
Gates  of  Jerusalem,  245,  240. 
Gem-cutting,  earliest,  110. 

setting,  gold,  17. 
Gems,  Abraxas,  37. 
Byzantine,  37. 
Chinese,  materials,  88. 
Christian,  18,   19,  37,84,  111, 

115. 
Egyptian,  subjects,  34. 
symbolism  of.  43,  45. 
Etruscan,  34,  35,  61. 
Gnostic,  83. 
Grecian,  68-72. 
of  Asia  Minor,  35. 
paste,  26-28. 
Persian,  33. 
Phoenician,  65.  66. 
Renaissance,  103.  104. 
symbolic,  115-117. 
Gems,  engraved,  advance   and 
decline,  13,  14. 
ancient  polishing  of,  23. 
preparation  for  engraving, 
22.  23. 
antiquity  of,  13,  14. 
collectors  of,  European,  106. 
difficulties  of  delineation,  23, 

24. 
frauds  in,  105. 
inscriptions  of  Christian,  18, 

19. 
personal  ornaments,  19,  28. 
portraiture  of.  25,  26. 
subjects,  historic.  118-120. 
mythological,  121.  681. 
of  seals,  talismanic,  53. 
Sth  to  nth  centuries,  93,94. 
Genii,  tico,    Antnzia    and   luge- 

viiito.  355. 
Gerf-Hassavn,  temple  of,  207. 
Geta,  693. 

Girometti  (engraver),  68,  693. 
Gnostics,  talismans  of,  80. 
God,  Mohammedan,    titles,  237. 
Gorgons,  three,  the,  746. 
Grteco-Roman  art,  75. 
Grecians,  the,  3j,  68. 
Guay  (engraver),  106. 

Hall,  Dr.  Isaac   H.,  677,  766. 
Harem  Life,  Cairo,  226. 
Harpocrates,  737,  741. 
Hassan-el-Belett,  233. 
heie    presented   hi/    Mercurij    to 
Jupiter,  28. 


Hecatnmpedon.  the,  275. 
Heindorf,  Prof.,  728. 
Heliogabalus,  niarri:ige  of,  689. 
Hieroglyphs,  Egyptian,  44. 
Hilda's  Tower,  379. 
Hijipocrates,    331,  738. 
Hippoffriff,  49,  747. 
Hirsch.  L.,  3S0.  740. 
Holy  Sepulchre,  church  of,  246, 

249. 
Horus  (deity).  44,  45,  208. 
Howling  Dervishes,  284.  292. 
Hyacinth,  derivation  of,  732. 

Iconoclasts,  26. 
Immaculate  Conception,    Mus- 
sulman origin  of,  287. 
Incisori,  ancient,  14,  27,  68. 

modern,  22. 
Intaglio,  defined,  15. 
Intaglios,  Etruscan,  34. 
subjects  of,  61,  62. 

Grecian,  superiority  of,  68. 

original  purpose  of,  15. 

paste,  antique,  27. 

Pha^nieian,  67. 

Sassanian,  57,  58. 

and  cameos,  spurious,  105. 
Isis  (deity),  44,  208. 

Jerusalem,  245. 

Joppa,  242. 

Jupiter  Sernpis,  380,  761. 

Karnak,  208.  213. 

King,  Prof.  C.W.,  54,  117,  336. 

Knights  Templars,  246. 

Lacyhes,  57. 

Lanzi,  Costantino,  317,  355,  751. 

Fratelli  (engravers).  22h. 
Lapidary  of  the  old  theatre,  305. 
Lathe,  Egyptian,  170. 

invention  of,  22. 
Lavoix,  M.,  728. 
Leidv.  Prof.  Joseph,  710.  721. 
Leno'vmant,  M.,  696,  698,  699. 
Library,  National,  Paris,  16. 
Longperier,    Adrien,    355,    397, 

728.  729.  741. 
Lucius,  147,  399-418. 
Lucius  Verus,  680. 

Maculated  stones,  16. 
1  Maecenas,  683,  738. 
Mausoleum,  derivation  of,  391, 

722 
Maxiwinus  Pirn,  23»,  36,  732. 
Medici,  Lorenzo  d',  103. 
Medusa,  27. 

tradition  of,  746. 
Meleager,  737. 
Jlemnunium,  the,  173. 
Memphis,  162. 
Menant.  J.,  696,  763. 

letter  of,  437. 

notes  on  cylinders,  763. 
Mercury,  wings  of,  emblem,  748. 


INDEX. 


779 


Minerva,  efligjof,  .395,  727,730. 
Mirza    Petros    Khan,   312,  G75, 

07  B. 
Missals,    illuminated.  93,90-08. 
Mithri  dates,    graven     treasures 

of,  2(). 
Monasteries,  origin  uU  90. 
Monastery,   Mohammedan,  2S7. 

Franciscan,  246. 
Mosque  el-Aksa.  240. 

Kubbet  al-Sakhra,  287. 

of  Oniar,  2J6. 
Alount  Hermon,  256. 

Lebanon. 267. 

of  Olives,  245. 
Museum,   British,  2S,   276,  679. 

Correr,  Venice,  315. 

Dresden,  10. 

Imperial.  Vienna.  10,  425. 

Laon,  missals  iu,  96. 

London,  16. 

Louvre,  16,  276. 

Naples,  426. 

Ravenna,  IS. 

St.  Petersburg.  16. 
Mnstapha  Aga,  179. 
Mvcenie.  recent  discoveries,  72. 
Mythological,  121.  122. 
Mythology.  Egyjitiiin.  3i. 

Roman,  372. 

traditions  illustrated  in  glyp- 
tic art,  26. 

Nabuli's,  250. 

Naples,  157. 

Natter  (engraver),  106. 

Nazareti),  255. 

Neoptolemus,  075,  OSS. 

Nephthys  (deity),  44. 

X'ptune,  336. 

Nerva,  Emperor,  671,  672. 

Night  of  Art,  14,90-99. 

Nile,  statue  of,  Vatican,  336. 

Numismatic  art,  94-95. 

OcTAviA,  portico  of,  307. 

Odysseus,  702. 

(Edipns   mid    (he   i'^phhw,    275, 

388,  721. 
Oppert,  M.,  696. 
letter  of,  451-. 
■   Orestes  ami  Electra,  392.  740. 
0.siris  (deity),  43,  207,  20S,  731. 
Ostrich-feather  dealers.  I90-19S. 
Ot/iri/adesy  391,  744. 

Paintings,    miral,    Egvptian, 

41,  208. 
Palladium,  the,  350,  395.  085. 

vestal  diHtodktua   of,  350. 
Pal/fis  of  Troy,  17. 
Pallino  (drill),  23. 
Parthenon,  the,  268,  275. 
Parthenope,  queen,  699. 
Pastes,  antique.  26,  27. 
Pepper,  Dr.  William,  50. 
Pertinax.  Emperor.  712,  738. 
Phtedra,  694. 


Phacthou,    fid!  of,  2S,  359.  744. 

754." 
PhiladelphitH  ai\d  Aritiuo'e,  19. 
Phila?,  182. 

Philippus,  Marcus  Julius,  712. 
Philogenis,  seal  of,  17,  396,  720. 
PJtf^bitti,  16. 

Phoenicians,  the,  05-07. 
Phwitix,  16. 

Pickler,  G.  (engraver),  68,  106. 
Pierret,  Paul,  769. 

letter  of,  439. 
Pi  eta  (goddess),  752. 
Pietradura,  27. 
Pinches,  Mr.,  46. 
Pistrucci,  Benedetto,  08. 
Polemon,  signet  of.  15. 
/'ofyHicet,    Hon   of    iEdipns,   27, 

391,  742.  ' 
Portland  Vase.  2S. 
Portraits,   cameo,    early,  19,  25, 

26. 
Portugal,  148. 

Potter,  old.  Keneh.  169-171. 
Putter's  wheel,   use  of,  22. 

Prisoners,  dnrish,  f/roiij)  of,  310. 
Pthah  (deity).   2U8. 
Ptolemy  Auletes,  6S0. 
Pyramids,  Egyptian.  213. 
pyrgoteles  (engraver),  21,  26,  68. 

QuiNTUS  Julius,  seal  of.  728. 

Raphael,  343. 
Rawlinson.  Sir  Henry.  33. 
Religion  on   stones,  1111-114. 
Renaissance,  100. 
Retrospective,  107. 
Ring,  alli.ance,  738. 

nose,  buying  the,  169. 

Persian  archer's,  730. 

talismanic,  364. 
Rings,  ancient,  17. 

official,  use  of,  17. 

Roman,  732. 

subjects  of,  early  Chri.-tian.  19. 
Rites,   Egyptian,   ancient,  160- 

162'. 
Rock,    Mohammed's    (Moriah), 

246,  287. 
Poinan,i/ouiifff  consult iiir/  the  god 

Terminus,   36ji. 
Romans,  art  of  the,  20-22,  25. 
Rome,  393-398. 

art-centre  of  the  world,  21. 
Rossi,   il   Commendatori    G.   B. 
de,  397.  664. 

letter  of,  451. 

Sai.nte  Chapelle,  cameo  of. 
421. 

Sancta  Maria  degli  Angeli, 
church  of,  36. 

Santarelli,  Giu.  Antonio  (en- 
graver), 25».  106.  683. 

Sapor,  King,  incident  of,  679, 
680. 

Sardinia,  65. 


Satyralus  (engraver).  68. 
f?earabei,  Egyptian,  34,  41-45. 
funereal,  42.  770-772. 

Etruscan,  34,  01. 

Phojnician,  67. 
Sculpture,  loinb,  Egyptian,  208. 
Seal  Ring.*!,   17. 
Seals,  Assyrian,  33,  53,  54. 

Egyptian,  41-45. 

Grecian,  use  of,  71, 

Persian.  53. 

Sassanian,  53. 

subjects   and    materials,    53, 
54. 

use  of,  54. 
Sekhet  (deity),  44. 
Shem^^hee,  288. 
Shoes,  Greek,  my,  299. 
Si/einm  and  Baevhim,  27. 
I  Sirletti  (engraver)j  106. 
I  Soeniien,    10. 

I  Solna  Kyrka  (church),  344. 

St.  Jeronimos,  church  of,  14S. 
I  St.   John,    Knights    of,    palace, 

246. 
I       Proculo,  cure  of,  306. 
I      Sophia,  church  of,  283. 
I       Ursula,  church,  Cologne,  340. 
i  Stones,  polish    on,  ancient  and 
I  modern,  23. 

I  Story-teller,  the,  129-137. 
1  Stronach,  Rev.  John,  708. 

Strozzi  family,  keys  of,  49. 
I  Symbolisms,  Gnostic,  80. 
I  Syra,  city  of,  65. 

Syria,  242. 

Talismans,  (inostic,  80,  83. 

sacred,  111,  112. 
Tozza  Faniese,  Naples,  426. 
Telesphorus.  330,  668. 
Temple  at  Abydus,  169.  207. 

nt  Denderah.  170,  207,  213. 

of  Ereehtheus,  275. 

of  Isis,  1S2. 

of  Jupiter  FeretriiLS,  745. 

of  Minerva,  275. 
Parthenon,  276 
Polins,  275. 

of  Osiris,  207. 

of  Vesta,  356,  3S7, 

of  the  Penates.  356. 

of  the  Resurrection.  246. 

of  the  Sun.  Baalbec,  264,  275. 

Solomon's,  246. 
Temples,  Egyptian,  179,  207. 
Thebes.  208. 

Theodorus  of  Samos,  22. 
Thoth  (deitv),  44. 
Thothvies  III.,  169,  336. 
Tiber,  statue  of  the,  336. 
Tiberius.  080,  684. 
Tuuibs  of  Jerusalem,  249. 

of  the  Kings.  213. 
Tower  of  the  Winds,  275. 
Trajan,  120,  072. 
Triens  (coins),  95. 
Tryphon  (engraver),  15. 


780 


INDEX. 


Uffizi     Gallery,    Florence, 
104. 

Uh/e^ea  (tint  Mpiielaiis,  '.'>*i2,  74f'>. 
Um-Kir,  ruins  of,  'i'i. 

Valankoff's  story,  ."47-:'iJl. 
Vjilerianus,    senior,  ineiiient  of, 

679. 
Viinniitelli,  682. 


Vrspafiinnitey  entnj    into   JrriiHti- 

Inn,  12(1,  :','lfi. 
e.rit/riim  JeniMiiliin,  12(1,  :'.\I'k 
Vestals,  ;»56. 
Viri,„y.  392,  746. 
Virgins,  eleven  tijous.inil, legend 

of,  34(1. 
Ward,  Dr.  Wm.  Iliives,  00,  696. 


\\'<n-rit>r,  mounlril,  n-illi    ttpfdvn, 
27. 
return hnj  n-ilh  liix  trujihlen,  2S, 
W.lrscIliUl,  3 IS. 
Wiiiriing  Dervishes,  233. 

VrsEF  .SiLiMAN,  287,  2S8,  291. 

Zanetti  <ollection,  315.    316, 


INDEX  TO  CATALOGUE  RAISONNE. 


Abkaham    about     to     vSacrifice 
Isaac,  70S. 

and  Sara.  715. 
Abraxas.  760-7*18. 
Abumlanee,  ~2?>,  74.^. 
Abyssinian  Case,  774. 
Achilles.  675,  7H),  75(1.  754.  755. 

grief  of,  at  the  death  uf  Pa- 
trocliis.  67^. 

leaving  Xeu|it')lenuis,  744. 

|,iarting  with  Oeidameia,  6SS. 
Aciain  and  E\e,  7li7. 
Adoration   of  the   Child   Jesus, 

706. 
^lius  Cyesar,  Cu?,,  GST. 
^milianus,  Emperor.  713. 
.^neas  Escaping  from  Troy,  710, 

720,  746. 
^seulapius,  6S6,  692,  736. 

and  Telesphorus,  66S. 
.^Esop,  694. 
Africa,  742. 
African,  an,  736, 
Agriculture,  750. 
Agrippina,  wife  of  Germanicus. 
6S5. 

wife  of  Claudius,  670,  684. 
Air,  750. 
Ajax,  681,  686. 

Achilles  and  Ulysses,  754. 
Alexander,  6S7,  7;ifi. 

Severus.  670.  672,  690. 
Alexnndrina,  749. 
Amalthea,  671.  672. 
Amazon,  an,  687,  690,  735. 
Amor.  670,  736,  743,  745. 

and  a  CocU,  720. 

Victorious,  693. 
Amulets.  667.  671,694,700.  702, 

709,  710,  716,  740.  741. 
Angel's  Head  in  Clouds,  745. 
Animals,  679,  708,  709.  710. 
Anne,  Queen,  691. 
Annunciation,  the,  684. 
Antinous,  6S9,  693. 
Antiphates,  731. 
Antisthencs.  711. 
Antoninus   Pius,  677,  682.  694, 

713. 
Anubis,  703. 


Apollo.  681.  682,  687,  688,  692, 
702,  711,  717,  725,  727, 
743,  744,  745.  748. 

Aquila  Severus,  fiS9. 

Arudiytas  of  Tarentum,  714. 
I  Ariosto,  732. 

Aristides.  682,  685,  692.  714,  717, 
!  736,  738. 

'  Aristotle,  711. 
I  Ark  of  Noah.  707. 
[  Arm,  an,  745. 
I  Artas  of  Sidon,  743.. 

Artaxerxes,  700. 

Artemisia,  70S,  722. 

Aspasia  and  Pericles,  674. 

Ass  and  a  Goat,  an,  746. 

Astragalus,  the,  730.  7:'.l. 

Atlas  bearing  the  Earth.  707. 

Athene  (Illus.),  670. 

Atreus,  714. 

Attalus,  676. 

Augustus,  669,  676.  680,  683, 
687.  690,  693,  713,  724, 
733,  740.  759. 

Aurora,  745,  748. 

B.\rrHANALiAx.  a,  721.  740,  743. 
Bacchanal,  a,  671.  683. 
Bacchante,  a,  676.  682,  691,  717, 

733,   734,  739,   740,  742, 

743.  747. 
Bacchus,  669.  73S.  742,  747. 
and  Ariadne.  754. 
Infant,  Education  of  the.  749. 
Balbinus,  673. 
Bassarid,  a,  681.  711,  738. 
Beetle,  winged.  700. 
Bellerophon.  682. 
Biga  drawn  bv  a  Lioness  and  a 

(ioat.  731. 
Bird  with  Rich   Plumage,  719. 
Boars.  679.  722.  730,  746,  747. 
Boating  Party  passing  between 

Wooded  Islands.  709. 
Bonus  Eventus.  the.  726. 
Borroineo,  Carlo,  720.  736, 
Brcnnus  (genera!),  682. 
Brutus,      Lucius    Junius,    and 

Marcus,  692. 
Marcus  Junius,  715. 


Bull,  a,  670,  703,  725.  741,  744, 
745,  74S. 

Caiis  GnAccHTS.  674. 
Caligula,  687,  689.  691. 
Callimaohus,  712. 
Camel,  wiuged,  703. 
Camels.  Two.  679. 
Cameos,  673,  674,  728,  753. 
Canobus,  Goddess,  679. 
Caracalia,    668,    672,  673,    693, 

711. 
Carita,  723. 

Carving,  rude,  706,  707. 
Cassander,  739. 
Castor,  746. 
Cats,  Domestic,  679. 
Centaur  Nessus,  724. 
Ceremony  of  the  Ancient  Jewish 

Church.  729. 
Ceres,  673,   689,  723,  724,  728, 

741,  749. 
Chariot-races,  741. 
Charlotte,  Empress,  750. 
Charon,  729. 
Cheiron  (centaur).  723, 
Children,  Two.  707. 
Chimera,  676,  680,  682,  683,  691, 

733,  748. 
Chinese  Gems,  70S,  710. 
Chloris,  673,  733. 
Cholulan,  a.  710.  759. 
Christ,  705.  706. 

Bearing  the  CrosF,  706. 

Crowned  with  Thorns,  706. 

Head  of.  706,  721.  74s. 

Praying  in  the  (iarden,  706. 
Christian  intaglio.  730. 
Cicero,  674,  675,  683,  684,  714, 

737. 
Cincinnatus,  676,  714. 
Citharistria,  73S. 
Claudius.  668,  673,679,691,736, 
738,  753. 

Family,  749. 

Albinus,  686. 
Cleopatra,    668,    673,  688,    691, 
736,  738,  744,  749. 

Dying  from  the  Sting  uf  the 
Asp,  749. 


INDEX. 


781 


Clodone,  71S. 

Cock.  ;i.  fiTi*. 

Striving  with  Cu|ii.l,  722. 

Coins.  Egyptian,  lead,  772. 

ComuioJus,  B6'J,  ti85,  736,  738. 
and  Crispina,  (591. 

Concordia,  730. 

Conquered  Citv,  669. 

Constantine.  690,  692. 

Coriolanu?,  684. 

Cornucopia.  724. 

Couch  of  Venus.  747. 

Cow  and  Calf.  726. 

Cowry,  a,  719. 

Crispina,  6S3,  691,  692. 

Crow,  a,  742. 

Crucifi.xion,  the,  705,  706. 

Cupids,  67.i,  6Sfi,  689,  692,  707, 
70S,  711,  714,  736,  739, 
743,  744,  746,  747. 

Cybele,  676,  726,  728,  759. 

Cylinder,  Aztec,  768. 

Cylinders,  Assyrian  and  Baby- 
lonian 696,  755,  759. 

Cymbal-player,  687. 

Dajankee,  675. 

Dante,  680. 

Days  of  the  Week,  tradition  of 

naming,  722,  729. 
Decebaius,  752. 
Deianira,  678,  688,  724,  733. 
Demosthenes,  729. 
Deo  Pan,  693. 
Desultor,  755. 
Devotee,  a,  692,  701. 
Diadumenianus,  694. 
Diana,  668,  671,   681,  715,  725, 

734,  750. 
Dido,  Princess,  668. 
Didius  Julianus,  Eni])eror,  712. 
Diogenes,  674,  715,  717. 
Diomedes  carrying  off  the  Effigy 

of  Minerva,  727,  730. 
Dionysus,  691,  711. 
Dissection  of  an  Animal's  Body 

after  Sacrifice,  726. 
Divinity,  a,  670,  684. 
Dog,  a,"678,  722,  736. 

and  Cock  Striving,  742. 
Dolphin,  a,  746. 
Domitia,  685,  688,  693,  738. 
Domitian.  667,  734,  735,  739. 
Donna,  707,  708. 
Drusus,  668,  671. 

Eagle,  an,  678. 

and  Serpent,  748. 
Earth,  750. 
Ecclesiastic.  672. 
Egyjjtian,  an,  745. 
Elizabeth  of  Prussia,  750. 
Emperor,  an,  759. 
Empress,  an.  685. 
Endymion,  743. 
Epicurus.  715. 
Equita,  724. 
Equilibrist,  702. 


Ethiopian,  an,  689,  715,  735. 
Euryale,  692. 

Face,  rude  Mexican,  710. 
Faith,  723,  749,  750. 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  663. 
Ferryman  of  Christ,  663. 
Fauii,  a.  671.  682,  683,  684,  692, 
713,  716,  719,    734,   740, 
744,  745,  748,  755. 

Caressing  a  Goat,  747. 
Faustina  Junior,  713,  732. 

Senior,  663,  734. 
Fawn  Feeding  from  a  Tree,  722. 
Fidelity.  750. 

Figure  Bowing  before  an  Altar, 
Devotional,  748. 

Chinese,  709. 
Fire.  750. 

Flute-player,  a.  689. 
Fortuna.  724.  740. 
Frederick.  Prince,  750. 

the  (ireat,  718,  750. 

William,  750. 
Fruit  on  a  Branch.  709. 
Fury,  a,  707. 

(tAi.ba.  Emperor,  683,  712. 

(ialleria,  a,  748. 

(Jallienus,  683. 

Ganymedes,    Venus    caressing, 

667. 
Genii,  Two,  the,  753. 
Genius  of  the  Chase,  745. 

of  the  Sun,  724,  742. 
Germanicus.  671,  685,  686,  713, 

714. 
Geta,  667,    671,   683,   692,  712, 

713,  715,  745. 
Gladiator,  a,  685,  686,  737,  745. 
Gnostic  Gems,  703,  766. 
Goat,  a,  741,  747. 
tjordianus     Africanus     .Junior, 

685. 
Senior.  692. 
Pius  III.,  667,  734. 
ttorgou  Metlusa  (amulet),  705. 
Greek  .\ntique,  a,  747. 
Group,  Mexican,  7HL 

Hadrian.  667,  674.  735,  759. 
Hand  Pinching  an  Ear,  689. 
Hannibal.  673,  739.  742. 
Harpocrates.  737,  741. 
Head,  Antique.  Egyptian,  712. 

Castellated,  a  (Illus.).  676. 
Heads,  Angels*,  707,  745. 

beasts  and  birds,  679,  740,  741 , 

742,  743,  746,  747. 
human.    668,    669,    685,    690, 
691,   706,    707,  708,   710, 
716,   717,   719,   720,  721, 
722,   733,  739,   741,   742, 
748,  749,  755. 
mythological,   667,   673,   740, 
741,  744,  745. 
Hebe,  678. 

Presented  to  Jupiter,  743. 


Heliogabalus,  668,  672,  685,  718. 
Hercules.    667,    668,    669,   670, 
673,    676,  681,    682,  68.3, 
687,  689,  692,    701,  715, 
718,  727,    729,  730,   741, 
744,  747,  753. 
and  I)eianira,  678. 
and  lole,  735. 
Fighting  the  Hydra,  726. 
Laureated     before     Minerva, 
692. 
Hermaphrodite,  the,  681. 
Heron,  Fruit,  and  Flowers,  719. 
Hertha  (goddess),  671,  732. 
j  llesiodus,  737. 
Hieronymus,  725. 
Hippocrates,  667.  738. 
Hippogriff,  a,  747. 
Hippolytus,  694. 
j  Holy  Sudarium,  689. 
Homer,  667,677,  715,  732,  734, 
745. 
I  Hope,  751. 
Horatius  Defending  the  Bridge, 

732. 
Horse,  a,  678,  679,  70S. 
Frolicking,  70S,  709,  710. 
with  Colt,  Geese,  etc.,  726. 
.Horns,  695,  736. 
House.  Bridge,  etc.,  750. 
Hunt,  Wild-boar,  719. 
Hyacinthus,  728,  732,  739. 
I  Hvgeia,  711. 
Hylas,  721. 

ImoT,  an,  735. 

Idol.  Worshipping  an.  749. 

Idols,   695,  708,  709,   710,   759, 

768. 
Hindu,  773. 
Incognito,    671,  673,    680,  682, 

683,  689,    691,  694,  708, 

714,   716,   717,   718,  720, 

723,  734,  735,    739,   742, 

747.  750. 
Insects,  Birds,  Crocodiles,  723. 
Intaglios  (bought  of  Mirza  Pe- 

tros  Khan),  675,  676. 
and   Talismans,  Persian  and 

Sassanian,  700. 
Etrusean,  701. 
lole,  681.  682,  690,  691,  735,  747. 
Isis  (goddess),  672,  725,  736. 

Jacob  and  Rachel,  719. 

Jael,  749. 

Joan es  Con radas. Portrait  of, 7 16. 

John  the  Baptist.  684. 

Jove,  667,  684,  690,  711,  733,  736. 

Serapides.  681,  712. 
Juggler,  a,  720. 
Jugurtba.  691.  733. 
Julia,    daughter   of    Augustus, 
673,  717. 

daughter  of  Titus,  671,   683, 
711. 

Dumna.  693. 

JIama;a,  690,  718. 


782 


/ 

INDEX. 


Julia  Paula,  673. 

Pia  and  her  son  (ieta,  712. 
Julius    Caisar,    ()6'.t,    Oll.'^.,    717, 

718. 
Juno,  674,  680,  6S'.).  7117. 
Juiiitcr,  670,  682,  688,  6'.I2,  718, 
735,  743. 
Juno,  anil  Minerva,  674. 
Ma.\inuis,  682. 
Serapis,    674,    684,  721,    727, 

733,  736,  751. 
Tunans,  727,  735,  747. 
Justinian,  GS2. 

Kalmuck,  a,  733. 
Kings,  680,  684,  689,  744. 


Lady  of  the  Metlici  Period, 

Lafayette,  Marquis  de,  684. 

Landscajie,  a,  7 19.  720. 

Langoaste,  678. 

Laura,  Petrarch's,  673,  684. 

Leaniler,  683. 

Leda,  and  Juj>iter  asaSwan 

Lena  (bacchante),  682,  711, 

Lcpidus.  724. 

Libation,  Pourin;;,  i^^*^,  707 

Lion,  a,  67S,  67!i.  745,  7-16, 

Devourin*^  a  Hoiso,  078. 
Lioness,  a,  678. 
Livia,   674,  675,  676,  680, 
691,  713,   715,  741, 
750. 

Augustus  and,  &iV^,  713. 
Love,  Power  of,  685. 
Lucius  Junius  Brutus,  680. 

the  Golden  .\ss,  728. 

Verus,  6111.  725,  732. 
Lysiuiachus,  673,  680,  686, 
711,718,737. 


70S. 


688. 
736. 


682, 
747, 


687 


M.KCE.NAs,    680,  683,   693,    733, 

738. 
Macrinus,  Empei'or,  736. 
Magdalen,  736. 
Man  with  Horses,  700. 
Mandoliniste,  tlje,  707. 
Mannikin,  6SI3. 
Marciana  Augusta,  674,  686. 
Marcus  Agrippa,  717,  734,  737, 

739. 
Aurelius,  678,  680,  711,  733, 

734,  735. 
j\Iaria  Theresa,  673,  734. 
Marianne,  Prince.'Js,  750. 
Mark  Antony,  601,  693,  724. 
Mars  and  Minerva,  687. 
Masjvniello,  670. 
Masks.  607.  68.5,  689,  707,  716, 

717,  733,  736.    739,   741, 

742.  743,    744,  746,   748, 

749.  768. 
bearded,  690,   714,  715,    716, 

720,    720,  735,  736,  740, 

742,  753. 
scenic,  668,  673,  676,  684,  691, 

(592,   693,  711,  713.   714, 

717,  718,   737,    741,  743, 

747,  748. 


Maternity.  751. 
Matidia,  680,  691,  694. 
Matrimonial   Alliance,  749. 
Maximinus  Pius,  713,  732,  738. 
Medici,  70S,  733. 
Medusa,  671,  681,  682,  684,  688, 
715,  716,  733,    735,    736, 

740,  741,  742,   746,    748. 
Meleager,    683,    686,    730,    736, 

737. 

and  Atalanta  Dancing.  663. 

son  of  Neuptolemus.  713. 
Melon,  a,  709. 
Melpomene,  735. 
Mercury,  670.  6S7,  710,  717,  718, 

741,  743. 

and  a  Nymph,  719. 
Messalina,  73b. 

Miraallone,  a,  714. 

Minerva,  667,  669.  674.  681,  682, 
687,  692.  703,  704,  712, 
713,  717,  721,  722,  733. 
740,  741,    746. 

Monkey,  a,  709. 

Moon,  685,  710. 

Moor,  a,  668,  683,  719. 

Naiad,  a,  689. 
Necklace,  a,  751. 
Negress  with  Braided  Hair,  737. 
Negro,  a,  711. 

Neptune,  670,  741,  744,  759. 
Nero,  694,  715,  735. 
and  Poppa?a.  718. 
Nerva,  671,  6s0. 
Nileometer,  the.  696. 
Nubian,  a,  668,  715. 
Numa  Pompilius,  683,  735. 
Nvmph  sleeping,  670. 
Nymphs.  672,  692,  719,  723,741, 

742,  743,  744,  747. 

Occident,  the,  752. 

Octavia,  735, 

Odenathus    and    Zenobia,    671, 

719. 
(Edipus  and  the  Sphinx,  721. 
Olivia,  680,  737. 
Orbiana,  715. 
Oriental  Female,  674. 
Orestes  and  Electra,  746,  748. 
Orient,  the,  751. 
Oriental  Dignitary,  745. 
Osiris,  731. 
Ostrich,  678. 
Otacillia.  712. 

Otho,  Emperor,  711,  715,  736. 
Othryades,  744. 
Owl,  an,  690,  736. 

Pallas,  663,  669,  680.  682.  683, 

6S5,  6S7,  692,  712,  718. 
Palm  Branch,  a,  740. 
Pan,  690,  693. 

Paragon  or  Touchstone.  681. 
Paris,  690,  743. 
Parthian  Slave,  694,  715. 
Paul,  Grand  Duke,  750. 


Peacocks,  720,  748. 

Pebble  Cameo,  716. 

Pebbles,  Maculated,  706. 

Pegasus,  682,703,  720,  743,  744. 

Pergauios,  687. 

Persian  Archer's  Ring,  730. 

Pertina.x,  683,  738. 

Pescennius  Niger,  690,  712. 

Petrarch,  733. 

Phaethon,  fall  of,  744,  754. 

Pllitammon,  715,  725. 

Philip  IV.  of  Spain,  716. 

the  Arabian.  712. 
Philosopher,   a,   668,   685,   714, 
716,  719,  723,  747. 

Greek,  602,  694.  712.  720. 
Pha'bus  Guiding  the  Chariot  of 
the  Sun,  663. 

in  a  Qu.adriga,  685. 
Phwnix  Risingfroui  theFlames, 

738. 
Piloerate,  713. 
Pius  VII.,  694,  714. 
Plato.  675.  680,  682. 
Plautilla,  684,  688,  711. 
Plautius     Hypsffius     Decianus, 

668. 
Pliglitcd  Hands,  667. 
Plotina,  713. 
Pluto    carrying   Persephone   to 

Hades,  693. 
Poetess,  Greek,  713. 
Polynices,  742. 

Pomona  Dropping  Fruit,  724. 
Pompey,  728. 
Portrait,  a,  717.  750. 
Power,  750. 
Prabo,  742. 
Priam.  670,  690. 

asking  .Achilles  for  the  Body 
of  Hector,  684. 
Priapus,  691. 
Priest.  Bearded,  702. 
Priestess,  a,  671,  718. 
Prisoners,  Jewish,  753. 
Prometheus,  740. 
Proserpine,  711. 
Prot(»genis,  724. 
Province  of  Dacia,  671. 
Psyche,  682,  603,  708,  713,  733. 

and  .luno's  Peacock,  689. 
Psyche's  Butterfly  driving  Ju- 
no's Peacock.  724. 
Ptolemivus,  685. 

.Auletes,  734. 
Ptoloiiiv,  680,  734. 

Philadclphus.  732. 

and  .\rsinoc,  726,  759. 
Pudicitia,  725. 
Pupienus.  687. 
Pu-rhus.  668.  732. 

as  Cupid,  675. 

QriNTCs  HiiitK.NNii's,  690. 
Hostilianus,  687. 

Rapfaklle,  711,  713,  716. 
Rape  of   Proserpine,  755. 
Resurrection,  the,  711. 


TXDEX. 


783 


Returning    from    the    Vintage, 

70;;. 
Rheinetalces,  7-jO. 
King.  Abraxas.  Pegasus,  704. 

Alliance  or  iMatriitionial,  73S. 

Cabalistic  Talisman,  704. 

Curious,  739. 

Cloisonne.  737. 

Gold.  3d  Century.  738. 
Rings,  Etruscan.  701. 
Roma,  745. 
Roman-African,  714. 
Roman,   young,  consulting  the 

God  Terminus,  753. 
Rome,  city  of.  72i). 
Romulus.  Remus,  and  the  She- 
Wolf.  71;*,  747. 
Ruin.  7oO. 

Sabina.  wife  of  Hadrian,  667.  - 
Sacrifice.  6l>7.  707,  747. 

of  Isaac  by  Abraham,  663, 

Venus  offering  a.  6SS. 

Suovetaurilius.  752. 
Santarelli,  Gio.  Antonio.  683. 
Sappho,  671.  673.  690. 
Satyr,  670,  6S3,  687,  6S9,  736, 
737.  739,  742. 

and  Xymph.  692,  743. 

Dancing  (Searaheus),  730. 
Scarabei,  Egyi)tian,  694,  769. 

Etruscan.  701. 

Phoenician.  702. 

Seals,  etc..  Egyptian.  G94-696. 
Scarabeus.  a,  700,  736. 
Seipio  ^Emilianus,  721. 

Africanus,  680,  707. 
Scorpion,  a,  724, 
Seal  of  a  Liberated  Slave.  726. 

private,    of    Quintus   Julius, 
728. 
Seals,  700.  704.  723,  748. 

Assvrian,  765.  768. 

Egyptian,  694-696. 

Etruscan.  701.  702. 

Persian,  699.  758,  765. 

Phoenician,  702. 

Sassanian,  699,  765. 
Sea-Xympli.  741. 
Semele,  685,  736. 
Semiramis,  691.  718. 
Seneca.  689,  694.  717.  737. 
Septimius  Severn?.  675, 677,  693. 
Serpent  on  a  Staff,  the,  667. 
Servius  Tullius,  739. 
Shah,  Persian,  a,  675. 
Shepherd.  Figure  of  a,  690. 
Silenus,  692,  729,  742. 


Silenus,  a  Bacchante  and  a  Can- 
didate, 724. 
and  Bacchus,  688,  723,  747. 
I      on  an  Ass.  720. 
I      Triumph  of,  722. 

Siren  Aglaopheme.  702. 
'  Sittah.  674. 
I  Skull,  0,  711. 
Slave  imjdoring   his    Life  of  a 
Warrior,  741. 
uf  Aleppo.  732. 
Socrates,  668.  672.  078.  714.  737, 
i  738,  739. 

I  Sophocles,  738. 
'  Sjiliinx.  a.  742.  747. 
Sjirig  with  Rose,  the,  701. 
St.  .fohn.  716.  740. 
Mark  in  Prayer,  740. 
I      Miihael  and  the  Dragon,  711. 
Stag.  a.  67S.  679. 
and  Due.  709. 
I  Sulla  the  Dictator.  675. 
Sun  between  the  Dioscuri.  740. 
Genius  of  the,  724,  742. 
Oriental,  the.  722. 
Susannah  and  the  Elders,  738. 
Swine,  746. 

Tablet,  a.  708.  716. 
Talisman.  .Abraxas,  704. 

Christian.  706. 

Egyptian.  695,  696. 

Gnostii-.  704. 
Talismans  and  Intaglios,    Per- 
sian and  Sassanian.  700. 

Persian.  773. 
Tambour-Player,  66S. 
Tarquinius  the  Sujjerb,  723,  731. 
Tellus,  6S7. 

Thothmes  III..  69.7.  696,  739. 
Thyia.  6^;l. 
Thyone.  691. 
Three  Graces,  the,  670. 
Tiberius.    673,    6S3,    686,    712. 

734. 
Titus,  726.  733,  734. 

Vespasianus.    Exit    of,    from 
Jerusalem.  753. 
Titus,  Triumphal  Entry  of,  into 

Jerusalem,  753. 
Trajan,  672,  673,  728,  751,  752. 

Historical  Cameos  Represent- 
ing Incidents  in  the  Life 
of  Trajan,  751-753. 

Decius,  690,  713. 
TranquiUina.  671. 
Trebonianu<  Gallus,  6S7,  735. 
Tuke.  729. 


Ulysses,  731,  737.  754, 

and  Menelaus,  746. 

and  Penelope,  745. 
Una  and  the  Lion,  737. 
Urania,  674. 

Valerianls  Junior,  687. 

Senior,  679. 
A'enus,  673,  681,  707.  711,  725, 
729.  745. 
and  Cupid.  689. 
and     the   Wounded    Adonis. 

688. 
Caressing  tianymedes,  667. 
Lamenting  over  the  Bodv  of 

Adonis.  749. 
with  Adonis  before  the  Chase, 
749. 
Vespasian.  667. 
Vespasianus,  686,  687,  69L 
Vesta,  732. 
Vestal,  a,  672.  743. 

Virgins  before  their  Temple. 
685. 
Victorv,  692,  723,  725,  731,  740, 
746. 
Crowning  a  Trophy,  731. 
Vintage,  the.  703,  75*0, 
Virgil,  680.  689.  714.  733,  736. 
Virgin  and  Child,  ViS3. 

JIary  and   Infant  Jesus.  706. 
Mary's     House,     Miraculous, 
Transportation  of,  684. 
Vitellius,  715.  716. 
Vittimario.  727. 
Volusianus,  693. 
Vulcan,  70S,  743. 

Warrior,  a,  717,  718.  720.  735, 
737,  741,  743,  745. 
in  a  Biga,  732. 
Returning  with  his  Trophies, 
722,  745. 
Warriors    in    Mortal    Combat, 
!  701. 

I  Water,  750. 
:  Wine.  750, 

■  William.  Prince,  of  Prussia.  750. 
Woman,  a.   691.   707,  708,  715, 
;  719. 

"Woman  Drinking.  ti70. 
[      Worshipping  a  Binl.  742. 

Xe.socrates,  1)70. 

Zeno,  672,  714,  7:5.i. 
1  Zenobia    and    Odenathus,    671, 
'  7T.I. 


^^^ 


esj,-^iai-- 


."L. 


i 


